"What I need in return over time — what would make this an actual alliance rather than charity — is your presence as a committed partner when the Church moves against us. Not an obligation, not a contract. A relationship built well enough over the next months that when that moment comes you judge it worth responding."
Satou was quiet. "You're asking for trust that can only be demonstrated after the fact."
"Yes." Aldric held his gaze. "I know that's a significant ask. I know you've had reasons to distrust humans specifically. I know an alliance that looks right on paper and dissolves under pressure is worse than no alliance." He paused. "What I can tell you is that Aldenmere's refusals have cost us real things. For twenty years we've paid the actual price of our principles. That's not nothing."
Satou looked at the memorial markers.
"No," he said. "It's not nothing."
They stood in quiet for a while.
"Cael's intelligence," Satou said.
