The First of Many - Part 5

"Bitterness did nothing but remove hesitation," Oliver said. "If your Guild would see us crushed, because it sees threat in the prosperities of our markets, then we have no recourse but to defend ourselves. If a Lord does not prove magnanimous in his rule, then one cannot quietly leave himself undefended against him."

"Is that a twofold threat?" Ferdinand said.

"It is a statement based on history, Lord Idris," Verdant said. "My Lord Patrick rightfully points out that if you move like a tyrant, then the consequences of a tyrant will inevitably follow you. Your anger, perhaps, is justified – but not under any sort of law. It is the anger of a man who has lost the first of a competition. That does not make us enemies, Lord Blackwell. That makes us rivals."