Peter stormed into the Prisoner's tent with an angry and determined look in his eyes. He made his way straight for the two Caramort captives, taking the stunned looking Isaac by the collar. Isaac looked back at him, his green eyes just like his brother though certainly a stronger and more refined version. Isaac must have been around his age, or maybe closer to John's age. According to his sister, he had some achievements under his belt as well, but Peter still had to confirm it.

"Did you ask for a national debt from Clarisse?"

Isaac's surprised look relaxed into a smirk as he realised why Peter looked so angry, "You're not as powerful as you thought, huh?"

Peter took a deep breath to gather himself as he released Isaac then straightened back up to look down on the two Caramorts.

"It seems your offer wasn't so satisfactory, otherwise she wouldn't have told you about that," Isaac continued.

"I think it might have been more than just the deal, son," Nathan stated as he watched Peter pace back and forth, "Your sister has never threatened someone without good reason".

Peter gritted his teeth. If he'd known this family was such a pain he would have had them assassinated. It probably would have made taking over the East ten times easier. He turned to look at Nathan, "When you received word that the old King was dying, who was it that decided to hold the line and not advance?"

Nathan gave a small smile as he turned away from Peter, "You already know the answer to that, so why are you asking?"

Peter sighed as he sat down on a chair Lucas had brought over. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, then let out an amused scoff before he spoke, "Did you know I've never had an opponent who could see through me? Granted, my opponents before this thought me nothing more than a whoring idiot which made things substantially easier. Any political move I desired to make would be brought up in casual conversation with my second brother, who knew his only purpose in the court was to look like the perfect candidate for King so no one would look twice at me despite my birth right as first born. Most would agree that such a set-up worked marvellously well. To be able to make a sound decision based on what I could only speculate were speculations themselves…it makes me wonder why she isn't the heir to the Caramort House".

Nathan smiled at Peter’s unasked question, "My daughter is not ambitious. She had no desire to be the Matriarch. Isaac was more than willing to stand aside when she was as young as eight, yet she was very clear that she wanted no part in the Caramort succession. Even before she was an adult I have no doubt that she was plenty capable of putting herself in the position with little effort, yet she didn't. I love my daughter more for that than anything else. The fact that despite her knowledge and ability, she only wishes to live a peaceful life. But that does not mean she will simply take what is pushed on her, good or bad, especially when it concerns her homeland and people".

There was silence in the tent once more before Peter nodded to Lucas, who in turn indicated for the guards to take some of the nobles.

"The East has asked for your release so that they might come to a unanimous decision on the terms negotiated," Peter informed them. They were shuffled out without protest as Peter rose from the chair.

"Out of curiosity," Nathan questioned as Peter turned to leave, "What exactly were your terms?"

Peter sighed before reiterating the occurrences of the meeting. Upon hearing of the events, Isaac and Nathan chuckled.

"No wonder she threatened you," Isaac said.

Peter frowned, "Keep it up and my anger just might be inclined to send you back piece by piece".

Isaac's smile dropped, he seemed to have forgotten whom he was talking to.

"He is right though, Your Majesty," Nathan replied, "You have indeed done what no ruler has been able to do before you by bringing the East to this state. However, by offering the terms that you did with your ambitious goals in mind, you have shown yourself to be no different. Your terms still suppress a perfectly fit and powerful people. Perhaps it will help you to reinforce your rule, but it will not necessarily make your rule stronger".

Peter frowned in confusion, "What of it?"

"If your goal is to unite the continent into an empire as you say, what ideology might this empire have? The Wendolan Ideology? An Ideology based on the God of War and Victories? Those who were born in the East certainly wouldn't agree, we worship the Goddess of Life, the All Mother, the only time we ever go to war is when the peace the All Mother provides is threatened. Do you think the Eastern people could be happy and prosperous under a God that promotes war?" asked Nathan, his question conveyed strongly through his gaze before he continued, "And that is only on the surface. There are many differences between all peoples on this continent, not just Wendolan and the East. So, when you unite the continent, are you going to just eradicate those differences? You will not be seen as a great entity then, you'll be seen as a great scourge. A murderer and a tyrant. Fear is one way to unite differing peoples, but it is also a sure-fire way to spark a rebellion. My daughter is right in saying that you need to consider the offer you have made and whether or not it is truly conducive to the unity you so desire. If it is not…well, you are clearly not the idiot the rumours prevailed, perhaps you will be intelligent enough to think of an alternative".

Peter was silent for a long while before he stood, turning to leave, "You know, I can't decide if you keep offering this advice because you have an ulterior motive, or you're just that kind of person. It's really beginning to frustrate me".

Nathan chuckled, "What makes you think it's not both?"