“I elevated you to this position because I believe you to be an instrument for creating the future of Crache. It is that simple. Much of that will come from the ideas created in that remarkable mind of yours. Another part of that function is clearing away old ideas that are of no use to Crache any longer.”

“Why didn’t you explain any of this to me before I wheeled myself into this chamber?”

“I didn’t want to cloud your mind or your judgment with unnecessary details, particularly not during your tests and trials.”

“That is a lie.”

It is the first time Dyeawan has openly exposed one of his falsities, and the first time she has ever openly revealed her ability to discern truth from fiction in people and their words. She immediately regrets it, but doesn’t let it show through her hardened expression.

“It was a half truth,” Edger says carefully a moment later. “That was a reason, simply not the entire reason.”

“A half truth is a whole lie, Edger.”

“Do you wish to return your tunic and pendant?” he asks quickly and impatiently. “Do you wish to return to sweeping floors and ferrying messages?”

“No.”

“Then this discussion is moot, is it not?”

Dyeawan’s fingers curl into fists above the paddles of her tender, but her mind refuses to delude her on the matter.

“Yes, it is.”

Edger seems appeased by her admission. His words come slower and with less emphasis.

“You deserve to be here, Dyeawan. I apologize for not apprising you fully of the situation you were entering, but your knowledge of it would have changed nothing.”

“Will any of them return to the table?”

“Of course not. Even if their pride would allow them to make that overture, I won’t allow it. They tipped their hand, foolishly, and in doing so only further prove why they must be swept away. Their obstinence was creating a constant stalemate among the planners, and that threatens all Crache.”

“That seems… excessive. I mean, they just skipped one meeting—”

“Should we wait for an open rebellion before we act, little Slider? Allowing them more time to plot and scheme and fester won’t solve the problem, it will only exacerbate it. This little protest, if unchallenged, will only embolden them.”

“Are you sure it’s not just you?” Dyeawan asks carefully. “Are you sure you don’t just want them gone?”

“Perhaps I do. They weary me. The mind ages, but that doesn’t necessitate it growing old. They’ve all grown old on me. Rigid. Incapable of learning new things. Perhaps I do resent them for that. It doesn’t change the issue, however.”

“What will happen to them?”

Edgar shrugs.

“They remain brilliant people. They will be reassigned to oversee other areas, the builders or the architects and so forth. They will find purpose in those roles if they embrace them.”

“Then we are actually eight now.”