“I need to convince a woman to marry me,” Barhu said, recklessly, “in the eyes of a culture that might accept I’m a man. I need her to leave her husband for me, and then, after she marries me, I need her to marry a king. All extraordinarily unhygienic. All vital to the Imperial Republic’s future. Can you help me do it?” “Your Excellence,” Iscend said, coming one step down the stairs, “I can help you achieve whatever you desire.”
