[Using “tawdry” to describe the methods of a despot whose reach extends across the very farthest reaches of reality seems almost laughable, but given the circumstances, Liem can’t bring himself to crack even a ghost of a smile. He just sighs, lacing his fingers together in his lap and turning his hands apart to look down at his open palms.]

I don’t understand it either.

[The quiet admission has the tone of a confession, like he’s divesting himself of a weight.]

Or anything that we’re doing here, really. There’s clearly some greater plan at work. The Regent doesn’t need the service of people like us simply to rule a continent. But is the real goal the same one that we’ve been promised?

I don’t know if I believe that.