Tick Tock, Yuri. Time Waits For No Countess.
"I'm offering you a deal." Solomon said, his voice low and smooth. "This war is eating away at us. We've spent time destroying what the other has worked for. I want us to stop the hostilities between our forces and put an end to the potential bloodshed."
"You can hold your territories without fear of attack from my side. In return," He paused, letting the words hang in the air for a moment. "In return, I want Ezra Matten."
Yuri's reaction was immediate. Her body tensed, her eyes narrowing with a mixture of suspicion and anger. "Ezra?" she repeated, incredulous. "You expect me to hand over one of my most loyal Subjects to you? For what?"
"For the end of this war." Solomon said calmly. "Isn't giving up one man to end a war an easy choice?"
Yuri stayed silent, thinking. A moment later, she asked. "Why Ezra specifically?"