He glanced at Bhujar, his gaze piercing.
"If the lord you serve is cruel, oppressive, or unjust… if he taxes his people into starvation, if he sends soldiers to die for his greed, if he rules by fear and not by honor… then it might be understandable for his soldiers to turn their backs. For the people to seek change, even through rebellion. That is the natural consequence of a ruler who breaks his own covenant with those he governs."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping lower, each word deliberate.
"But that is not the case here. Not with Rolland. He is not a cruel lord. He has not oppressed his people. He has not bled Mathrias dry for his own gain. He has governed with fairness, even with the limitations placed upon him. He has tried to protect his people, even when he lacked the means to do so fully."
Garius's eyes hardened.
