Gurth Sgan,"Your only logical choice is to listen and agree to my terms. Otherwise, nothing will prevent my brother from becoming the Crown Prince. He is an excellent leader of men, and with new legal authority, I suspect your time on the throne will be quite limited. You, Mergin, may be protected by your Shadows, but if the King is forced to abdicate considering a military coup, then your last days alive will be spent in unbelievable torment if I know my brother as I do.’
Creon slumped into his chair, knowing that he had been outwitted. Thinking for a moment, he asked in desperation of Mergin, "Can you stop these messages from reaching their intended people?’
"No sire, it"s been four days since these messages were sent out on the Prince"s individual authority. I knew he was sending mess
