"You do not know your history!" Lord Drax nearly laughed. "Delmakros was in a constant state of chaos, with terrorists inciting the people to rebel against the government that Venger had placed to peacefully and efficiently govern their city! When the terror became days of riots and outright violence, Venger had no choice but to reassert control!"
A couple of the new Councillors hesitantly nodded; they remembered hearing that from their private tutors when studying history as noble children. But it was not with whole hearts that the agreed. The Lieutenant's presentation carried a ring of truth to them.
"And Pembroke?" Drax went on. "It is far easier to have the citizens' cooperation versus their rebellion. Delmakros is a lesson in that. Venger is not a man who would invite such trouble upon himself. Why would he, as you say, conquer, crush, and defeat a people when it would be in his better interest to have them as allies?"
"Because he's an absolute bas-mmmmfffff!" Among the courtiers, Kirriam struggled as Lady Areela's older brother clamped his hand over her mouth to keep her from speaking exactly what was on her mind.
As Drax spoke and Kirriam promptly trod on the toes of the people trying to restrain her, Lord Tolan quickly conversed in whispered tones with Lord Dalor on his left, whose answer was an honestly confused shrug. Tapping his finger on his chin as he considered, when Drax had made his point and fallen silent, Tolan finally said, "Your story does seem to have some merit. On the other hand, we have not yet seen any refugees from Pembroke to corroborate what you tell us. But as you indicate, it may simply be too soon for them to have arrived."
"As for Delmakros, the information gleaned by our historians tell us, in essence, exactly what Lord Drax told you: The citizens were rebelling and attacking their rightfully accepted government, violating the treaty they had signed, and an end had to be put to their terrorism." Tolan glanced over as Drax grinned smugly, then added, in very deliberate tones, "However, I think we can all agree that history is written by the victors."
Drax's grin turned to an icy glare that would have crumpled anyone of lesser will. Tolan simply let it roll off his back. "I have seen enough of Venger in my days to give credit to your stories, Captain Irzen. But one question still concerns me. You say that you were in Venger's service, working as scouts for his army. Suddenly, you wish to consider him a sworn enemy and accept as pay a fraction of what I assume he was paying you. I have to ask, what has changed? Why do the Shadow Riders approach us with their sudden desire to betray their former employer?"
