"In accordance with ancient customs north and south, I abide by this truce, Madam Tidecaster."

"I owe you an apology, Peacebinder, for we have dishonored the surrender that you offered us in our year of defeat. I cannot excuse or defend our action, I leave that to history. But all the same, I am deeply indebted to you for treating my Tiersmen with charity and humanity, even in this time of madness."

"I try. Since Kyros cannot be stopped, it is left to servants like me to minimize the damage to the Tiers."

"Weren't you the Stormcaller?"

"And if it hadn't been me, it would have been another, probably one who gave less time to the people of Stalwart to prepare, and less time for the selfish coward of a Regent to surrender himself or commit honorable suicide. I regret it, but I would regret asking for another to carry it out more."

She inclines her head slightly, acknowledging the point with displeased acceptance. "To business, then. As is our custom, we are ready to kill to defend our lands, but we kill only in fair battle, we don't slay our prisoners. We know this isn't Kyros's way, but we ask anyway. A few of my kin have gone missing, and though they may have perished, I inquire in the hope they still live. If Captain Tarkis Demos is alive, we would negotiate for his release."

"Alas, I cannot. He chose death over being given to the Chorus. Having been personally forsworn, neither force was willing to exchange him as a hostage. I ensured the death was quick."

"Unfortunate, but expected. If I may make one more inquiry. What of Pelox Tyrel? Did he survive?"

Kohl's mouth curls in disgust. "He took a hostage. I gave my word that if he put down the blade, he would live, but it was not respected by my allies."

"That Fury in your wake?"

"No. The Choirmen spit on the notion of honor, but they are practical people. It was the Disfavored. I underestimated the depth of their hatred for those who break their oaths. Was there anyone else?"

"Those are the only ones believed captured we would be willing to exchange. We have few cousins left."

"Yes. It is regrettable, but so is this second rebellion. What do you hope to gain? You have held Kyros off, yes, but how would you hope to beat him? Even before this new Edict."

"Oh we don't. Those who believed Kyros could be stopped all died years ago, in the first wave of fighting. It's not about the hope of victory, it's about the hope of inspiring others. It is very likely we will fall here in Vendrien's Well, but perhaps others will arise elsewhere."

"I have never understood the impulse to fruitless rebellion. You know you are beaten, yet you return to the meat grinder of war nonetheless. Why?"

"For those who died in the first wave. Cousins. Mentors."

He slowly nods. "I understand the impulse. Often as strong as it is foolish. Is there anything else you wish to ask about, Madam Tidecaster?"

"What are the words of this Edict?"

"Are you familiar with the phrase 'Kyros has no desire to rule a wasteland?' He has decided he prefers it to the current state. As a final declaration of the Overlord's inevitability, at the end of this span, either Kyros's forces will control Ascension Hall, or everyone in the valley, loyal and rebel, will die. So if you have the power to bring the rest of the Guard to the blue table, please send me a bird."

"Ah. I will inform the captains. If that is all?"

"One last question. Who are you, Madame?"

"Eb, last of the School of Tides on this side of the great sea."

"Pleased to meet you, Tidecaster Eb. I wish that it had been in better circumstances."

"Likewise, Fatebinder Kohl. In accordance to our most ancient customs, let us depart in honorable accord. May peace find you."

"And you."

After they had both withdrawn from the clearing, Verse muttered to Kohl, "What was that about?"

"You don't think they actually wanted to exchange prisoners?"

"They knew they wouldn't get to. We don't keep prisoners unconscripted, and they" - nodding to Barik - "haven't taken any Oathbreaker prisoners at all."

"'Honor all oaths with your life.' Any slaves we take are bound by the three honors as much as are we. And every one of them in this fight has already broken it."

"Riiiight. Anyway, if they have a trained mage - and not a young one, she looks like a veteran - why send her on diplomacy? Much less one I'm pretty sure we didn't know existed."

"Ah. So this wasn't her primary mission. A fallback, when she was in the area."

"I bet it's related to the attack at Edgering Ruins when you showed up. She was supposed to be there."

"I see the wisdom of that. Attack you when you crossed into the Tiers, before you could deliver an Edict. Concentrate your strongest weapons on the attempt. But they failed to organize the attack properly."

"A cheerful thought," Kohl replied dryly. "And one to chew on."

Barik nodded, and they lapsed into silence for the rest of the journey.