Portraits: Verrin Ravari, Taros Colvan Taros Colvan: Ha! Weaklings. You were right, Verrin. Nothing to be afraid of after all. Verrin Ravari: As I expected. Verrin Ravari: House Van Tassen strayed from the path for too long. And we were the agents of correction. Verrin Ravari: Now all that remains is to negotiate the terms— not that they have much of a bargaining position. Taros Colvan: Negotiations are boring... Verrin Ravari: They’re still necessary. Taros Colvan: What if we just… killed them all? Verrin Ravari: That strikes me as a little extreme. Taros Colvan: I hate the idea of this ancient weak family hanging around even after we’ve won. They’ll stick around, begging for our scraps, waxing on about the old days. Taros Colvan: It poses a risk. And you told me yourself, Verrin, that the old ways were due for a change. Verrin Ravari: I did, yes— Taros Colvan: You’re not afraid, are you? Taros Colvan: Easy enough for you to propose the idea of attacking, but when it comes time to follow all the way through... Verrin Ravari: I am absolutely not afraid! If you believe eliminating the Van Tassen line is the right choice, then I will follow. Taros Colvan: Verrin, you consider yourself clever. But just because you’re the House alchemist doesn’t mean you can place your ideas over mine. Taros Colvan: Understand? Verrin Ravari: Of course, Taros. Taros Colvan: Follow me.