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What else do I love about her?
She is fierce—fiercely compassionate.
- X.M.
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The Black Sky mercenaries (1) demonstrated their usefulness to the Gwala's court (another kingdom) by suppressing the indigenous tribes that colonized the mountainous terrain between the Yellow and Red Rivers.
The Gwala authorities observed their performance with great interest. Reasoning that Ru Quan might become a useful ally in the future, they gave him a military rank in the Gwala army. Provided that he continued to act in accordance with his status as a Gwala military governor, the authorities promised not to trouble the Black Sky leader.
For this, Ru Quan was rewarded with an official military title. Secured with the backing of the court, he established a profitable extortion network along the course of the Red River, 'taxing' the passerby at a rate of 10% of the value of their goods.
