His performance clearly marked the end of an era. Statues and posters rarely spoke, and even when they did, it was all carefully controlled propaganda. A final chore for the man who was handing me a kingdom he no longer understood. Arguing further would be futile; the lie was sealed, and the conversation was over. …the main issue of our whole friendship: our life wouldn't be the same without the other. Stephan won't care about 'independent covenants'. The ring fell back to her cleavage, my hand tighten around her neck. For a split second, the "fun uncle" mask slipped, revealing the calculating man beneath. He didn't ask if I was okay, I wasn’t even sure he cared. "With all due respect, what good is revenue if our lands are overrun, Iamis?" The next thing I could recall was the music fading into the insistent voices of Abelin and Dylan, ever the protectors.
