sic semper tyrannis

miseram pacem vel bello bene mutari

The letter to Candace was sent the next morning.

Kaveh had spent the night scrawling down words onto fancy parchment paper, then growing frustrated with what he'd already written and crumpling it into a ball. About four pages were tossed into the trash before he finally settled on one he liked. When it was finished, he folded it in half once and slid it into a spare envelope.

It only took a few days for a response to arrive—agreement to meet and discuss terms, for truly what else could Candace do in that situation? Alhaitham hadn't read whatever she wrote back to Kaveh, but he was sure her choice in the matter was limited to simply doing as he said whether he acknowledged it or not.

For the smaller country in war, it was smile and nod or die. He didn't have to think too hard on which Candace would prefer.

It was arranged that she'd be sent a royal carriage with the emblem of Sumeru City clearly marked, instructing anyone with common sense to steer clear. That way she'd go unharmed by the army and, hopefully, anyone else who may think lightly of a lone passing caravan.

When Candace arrived, she was stone-faced and solemn. Her carriage passed slowly through the city until she stepped out onto the grounds of the palace.

Kaveh wasn't there to greet her nor was any Sage that might usually spew pleasantries, leaving Alhaitham alone to meet her gaze. The atmosphere she carried with her was almost suffocating.

"Welcome," he said softly anyway.

Candace stayed silent for a moment, even as the carriage behind her began to move again. The driver clearly wanted nothing to do with the tension between them.

"Why am I here?" she finally asked. Her eyes, full of a tired sadness, practically drilled holes into Alhaitham's; no more warmth laid in her expression.

He tried to hide his grimace by staring back with a similar look, one he'd perfected from numerous times he had to stay quiet in Akademiya classrooms and in front of the former king and queen of Sumeru. "Kaveh—" he started only to be cut off.

"Has killed thousands of my people," Candace interrupted, gritting her teeth. "Why should I believe the both of you when you now call for peace?"

"Choose to question him all you like," Alhaitham answered. "But I never wanted a war. I won't argue that you and yours have suffered, but our people have died unnecessarily as well. This conflict aids no one."

Candace was still for a moment, then she nodded slowly. "If you so insist," she murmured, averting her gaze to the stones at their feet. "Take me to see him, though I'm sure you must know I am not pleased to do so."

"I don't think he expects you to be," Alhaitham replied.

Without waiting for her response, he turned on his heel and headed back to the castle gates. The guards at the entrance parted immediately and Alhaitham passed through the doors, holding one open so Candace could slip through. She followed after him, unable to help a gasp from falling from her lips once they were inside.

"It's almost empty," she nearly whispered.

"We sold much to improve the living conditions of the impoverished," Alhaitham said, continuing down the hall toward the throne room. "Much of what the king and queen had was stolen anyway. It'll do more good in museums than just sitting here. However, the project the funds were going to was discontinued due to the war."

"That's..." Candace trailed off, swallowing thickly. She seemed unsure what to say, but finally settled on, "that's horrible."

"Yes, but if things go well it should be allowed to resume soon," Alhaitham replied.