"That's a refreshingly neutral take. Usually people either want to leave or want to stay, there's less middle ground." It's not that Istredd assumes everyone is one way or the other, there are probably plenty of neutral people who keep their opinions to themselves, it's more that they keep quiet if they do. Or it could be as small a difference as having a preference but accepting things as they come.

"The human royals are extremely spoiled and foolish in my opinion, in my sphere. They want to hear promises and flattery. There are a few headstrong ones, but then our mages can simply wait a generation. We live many centuries." So if one king is a problem, the mage can wait until their children are slightly older and start bending their ears instead. Almost raise them, in a way, so they trust their mage and want their counsel. They can play the long game.

Istredd assumes the pattern is in part to do with the arcana too. It's hard to say as they have no access to the spell. He smiles wryly at that. "Oh, most people are. I've had to talk down multiple people from trying to take out the queen."