Sherwood Smith Quote

If everyone who compromised with Galdran out of fear, or greed, or even indifference, were to be penalized, Shevraeth went on, Athanarel would soon be empty and a lot of people sent home with little to do but use their wealth and power toward recovering their lost prestige.More war, I said, and thinking again of my secret cause, I ventured a question. Do you agree with Mistress Ynizang’s writings about the troubles overseas and how they could have been avoided?Shevraeth nodded, turning to me. That’s an excellent book--one of the first my parents put into my hands when it became apparent I was serious about entering their plans.What’s this? Who? Bran asked, looking from one of us to the other.Shevraeth said, She is a historian of great repute in the Empress’s Court, and I believe what she says about letting social custom and the human habit of inertia bridge an old regime to a new, when there is no active evil remaining.Sounds dull as a hibernating snake. Saving your grace. Bran saluted the Marquis with his glass, then said, Tell my sister about the army.Shevraeth saluted my brother with his own glass and a slightly mocking smile. To resume: Dispersal and reassignment. I have relied heavily upon certain officers whom I have come to trust--Which is why you were up here against us last winter, eh? Bran asked, one brow cocked up. Scouting out the good ones?Old anger stirred deep inside me as I remembered the common talk from a year ago, about Shevraeth’s very public wager with the Duke of Savona about how soon he could thoroughly squelch the rustic Tlanth’s--meaning Branaric and me. Fighting down my emotions, I realized that yet again I had been misled by surface events--and again I had misjudged Shevraeth’s true motives.