Then We'll do it the Hard Way!

"If you decide that way, I hope King Carline is prepared to bend the knee!" Minos said thoughtfully, staring into that woman's eyes.

Minos was serious. He did not want to dominate the northern region of the Central Continent. Yet, anyone who stood against him now would pay high costs once he gained independence.

And since young Stuart did not doubt that he could achieve his short-term goals, he had made such a threat.

He preferred to have allies since, although he would have to share some of his gains, in relationships like that, the problems might be less than among relationships formed through force.

When both parties could profit together, without one threatening the other, it was much easier for both sides to work jointly for the greater good.

But in other types of relationships, such as those forced, the weaker side might flirt with dangerous ideals, perhaps sabotaging the other side, acting for the sake of the other's downfall.