"Virelia is a footnote."
That's what the King of Elarith said.
A minor country to the west. Fragmented. Faithless. Ruled by thieves in noble robes and gods no one remembers. No armies worth fearing. No maps worth redrawing.
"In a land protected by faith and law," he said, "why concern ourselves with heretics who still dare to use magic?"
No one in the chamber argued.
Not the Marshal.
Not the clergy.
Not the Lady of Letters.
Everyone bowed.
And in one unifying voice, they said
"Hail to the Sun God."