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Darksteel took his time answering. Caster began to grow somewhat impatient. The more Darksteel thought about it, the more likely it seemed that he might give a favorable response, which Caster had frankly not been expecting. Could this actually work?

The anticipation made Caster’s mind wander even further afield. Two emperors had just been removed from the game. Much was up for grabs, right now. In particular, Korgum and the Nualist Republic of Dozer were going to be in an interesting position. The Korgumites, if they learned of Dozer’s death, would doubtless seek to seize on the opening to win their own ongoing war--even if that death later turned out to be false.

Hmm. Perhaps that was Dozer’s play here. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d faked his death.

And on the other side, ambitious Abolishers--such as himself--would also see this as a chance to acquire Dozer’s land and resources for themselves. Either way, that area of the continent was likely to explode soon, either metaphorically or literally.

Until now, Caster hadn’t really been considering throwing his hat into that ring. It was going to be a mad dash for power, regardless, and he hadn’t thought himself quite in a position to pursue such a dangerous prize.

But now?

If he could actually form an alliance with Darksteel and the lords of Sair?

Which wasn’t even mentioning the Freemen Fellowship. They were going to be in an even more precarious position, now that Ettol was out of the picture.

Heh. Maybe Zirat should try taking the moniker of the God of Luck. Kamír wasn’t using it, anymore. He hadn’t reincarnated since the Third Age. Apparently, one encounter with the Beast of Ardora had been enough for him.

But no. Of course not. A fourth moniker would be playing with fire. He didn’t want to be like Xixa. He wanted to remain sane.

“...Alright,” Darksteel finally said. “That sounds agreeable to me.”

Caster’s smile returned in full, broader than ever. “Excellent. Then I find your proposal amenable. Do you have any other terms?”

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Aw, shit. This was actually happening, wasn’t it?

Agh. When he’d first suggested they retake Sair together, Hector hadn’t really expected Caster to say yes. If anything, he’d thought it would give the guy all the more reason to leave them alone. Giving him a glimpse of the threat level that Hector and everyone else were already dealing with. That would’ve scared away most dangerous weirdoes, right?

But now, Hector almost wished this had devolved into a fight, instead.