"Thorne, the nation, is no threat to us," Winnifred replies simply. Her eyes are clear and steady, her faith in this position absolute.

"We have persisted here in the favor of the Gods for millennia, and Thorne has not raised a hand against us in all that time... because they know any attempt to attack us here in the sanctuary of our Commune would fail. The Gods are very real, Estinien, and as long as we move in concert with their will and remain here in their dominion, we are all of us under their divine protection. And should we stray from the path..."

She pauses, pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders.

"We would have more pressing concerns than whatever foolishness Ambrose Rhett is playing with."