"Something else," I said evenly. "Enough to replace your young master. What could it be?"
Torace hesitated. Just for a heartbeat. Then he straightened, as if making a decision he knew would echo far beyond this hall.
"House Goldwing," he said clearly, raising his voice so the entire hall could hear, "will enter a formal contract with the Order of Absolute. When the invasion presses, when rifts threaten our territories or allies, we will answer your call. Our strength, our resources, our people, when needed."
A ripple moved through the crowd.
"And the terms?" I asked.
Torace exhaled slowly. "Those are… not matters for a celebration hall. We propose to discuss them in private. Properly."
I held his gaze.
Then I nodded once.
"Alright."
My raised hand lowered.
