“I would get children with the dukes and the sons of the duchesses. I would marry my blood into theirs and hold their loyalty by passion and shared joy. Once I had my heirs aligned, my rivals bound to my flesh, I would tear up the borders and stitch our lands together. I would irrigate the herdlands and make them rich with wheat, I would feed the cattle and make my people fat on milk and beef, I would guard my roads with the broad-backed sons and daughters of women free to love. Against our ancient strength the pale chemistries and mincing edicts of a younger people would be as a child’s
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