"Few revolutionaries do. But there was nary a revolution that happened without it. Whether it was what you wished for or not, you knew the dragons did not come initially to sue for peace when they flung themselves at our walls," he shakes his head, "Don't misunderstand me, my hands are no cleaner than yours-- I was never naive enough to think the truth would only set people free and not confuse and terrify some. But such a sentiment, that bloodshed was never your intention, might be one best kept away from dinner tables that contain more than just you and I. The youngest Hallinarte in particular is not likely to believe you on such matters, since I hear he almost went off Witchdrop due to one of your men. I think he more upset about his family's good name and his own piety being called into question than nearly dying."

He says it lightly, perhaps, as close to nobleman's gossip as he ever gets, but the warning inherent is not quite so light as that. She will have to face down Francel, after all, and while for many people her involvement in the war is impersonal, there are a scant few who's lives she has directly ruined, or nearly so.

"Better to let men like him think you have had a change of heart, rather than that you would have preferred they not have to die at all."