“Perhaps, but everyone has a threshold. In any case, we’ve come to an understanding. He’ll manage local security with your brothers and Mafarai. Alinata and I will handle external business. I’ve already laid the groundwork for a network of spies and assassins—” “Tuk, we talked about this.” “I meant operatives,” Tuk says, impenitent. “People who can solve problems your ambassadors can’t.” His eyes go distant, losing a shade of color. “It’s getting wild out there, Salo. And whether you like it or not, that city is a big target. It won’t survive on diplomacy alone. There are already plots to
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