“The moment an assassin came after the future queen, every arrangement that allowed this settlement to remain unaccounted for ended.”
I let the words settle over them because I wanted them understood. Not liked. Not accepted. Understood.
“You will not be permitted to remain hidden in these mountains. You will not be permitted to rebuild your numbers in secret. You will not be permitted to continue raising children inside a settlement that teaches them the crown is an enemy waiting to be destroyed.”
A ripple moved through the crowd at that. Anger from some. Shame from others. Fear from most.
Good.
Fear could be useful as long as it didn’t turn desperate.
“The hostile individuals who fought after being ordered to surrender, those involved in attacks against the crown, and anyone conn
