[ As annoying as it is to admit, Phainon has a point. Mydeimos was counting on fear to conquer them, and time to do the rest. Shrewd as they are, though, they won't trust him simply for leaving them alone. How many legends speak of Kings who killed on a whim?

So he hums, lost in thought for a moment. ]

Like your people, your point is well made.

[ Should he admit to a lack of insight? Some would argue he should not. A king who can't admit when he's wrong, though, takes the first step towards becoming useless. He's heard stories of Eurypon scorning his own advisors.

Instead, he smiles again. ]

I imagine there's very little I could offer that would, since I cannot afford to give them what they want.

[ Freedom. ]

Instead, I'll accept their humble gift.

[ He plans to have Phainon tell him of his home - but demanding he do so will give the impression he's trying to find a way out of it, he's sure. ]