Nevare POV
Nevare gazed down at Artur and his stunned comrades. She remained composed. In truth, she could have slaughtered Artur in a heartbeat, yet she had held back. It wasn't out of pity or a lingering fragment of affection for her brother, but rather a matter of cold, calculated efficiency.
Though Wilwatikta's strike on Heles had been a surprise, the city was no easy conquest. Perhaps if the quarter-Asuras possessed by Wilwatikta had joined the vanguard, victory would have been swift. However, they still had to maintain their charade before the Human Alliance. They could not simply withdraw a quarter of their military strength without inviting suspicion.
Seizing Heles immediately and severing all lines of communication was their only way to delay the news of their betrayal. Though discovery was inevitable, the time gained would allow them to better prepare for the Human Alliance's inevitable vengeance.
