“No, you forget yourself, Haver! How long can we endure the ceaseless raids of the nomads and the attacks of our neighbors? How long will we be forced to eke out our miserable existence? You don’t go to the Empire to pay tribute—I do! I’ve seen their ‘border villages’, which are richer and more beautiful than even our capital! I hate the ridicule of their petty nobles who don’t even consider us to be peasants! I’ve seen beardless boys who are several times stronger than me. Why? Because, from the day they’re born, they’re stuffed full of herbs that we don’t grow. They can buy drugs that we don’t know how to make. They’re taught Techniques we haven't even heard of!”
“Are you worried about the Kingdom, or are you giving in to your envy?” Haver whispered, but the whisper was more powerful th
