"You gave up everything, Auron… You let the Crownless House twist you into something not even Father would recognize. You might have power, but at what cost?"
"Power is everything," Auron replied coldly, though a tremor of mania underlay his statement. "What's the point of tradition or birthright if you can't seize what's in front of you? Our father was a fool for wanting to unify Serewyn through peace. Peace never lasts, and I've proven it."
Mikhailis shook his head slowly, trying to interpret how far this madness extended. He didn't see any reason to keep talking. The more Auron ranted, the more Mikhailis realized how thoroughly he'd rationalized his betrayal. If he was still open to reason, that ship had likely sailed long ago. The tension in the chamber grew thick enough to taste.
Laethor inhaled, summoning a trickle of strength to speak. "Mikhailis… do something," he rasped. "His illusions… He can do more than just illusions. He can bend the reality with that mist."
