"What I'm offering you sounds like your old life." Salaark continued. "It sounds nice and comfortable but make no mistake. Your old life is over and there's no place in my country for those who cling to the past.
"In the Desert, I'm the law and here in Jiera, it will be no different. If you decide to come with me, you'll do as I say, when I say it, and how I tell you to do it. There will be no elections. You'll have no representatives but those of my choosing.
"There will be no nobles. Power and authority will be granted to those who I deem worthy. I don't care what title your family carried before the plague. Your blood is red like anyone else's and your last name means nothing to me.
"Your first assignment will be to learn Tyris' universal language. You are free to teach your native language to your children and preserve it, but that's it. You won't be allowed to use it in public or on your job.
