Oath

A door left open was worse.

These men were afraid to leave. They had no desire left for the world. So when she came to them, canvassing for their service, they told her to go. They would not mobilise for the city, not now. So she had to dig deep and kneel before these men. She pleaded with them. They would not listen still.

So she got angry and belittled them -- you are not true men, little princeseses.... What of the oath your fathers took?

And they hated her for this. But she had them now. They gave of themselves to her, of themselves and their wondrous terrible gifts.