"She is yours, and it's your decision, though I think she is stronger than you think," Mansr said. "If it were her decision, she would come."
"It is not her decision," he said darkly.
Mansr's presence could not have come at a worse time. With repairs for his armies commandeering the last of the Anshan ore he had to trade or sell, he wouldn't be able to afford to feed his people and fight a war. Yet both must be done. There was always the Council, and the only ally A'Ran still had. Assistance might come from their direction, but any favor from the Council would cost him dearly in another way. Restless, A'Ran rose and paced.
"She fears me, Uncle," he said with difficulty. "She's not ready to take her place."
"Nishani was brave with me."
"It was not her choice to come here."
"What choice does a woman have?"
"She is not like ours." He glanced at his uncle, bemused. "Her thoughts and actions are hers alone. I have not the time to spend with her."
"The fate of your people relies on you bonding her to Anshan."
"The fate of my people will not matter if they do not live through the war!" A'Ran snapped.
"You are dhjan, but you are also a man, nephew," Mansr said. "Your responsibility cannot always be to your people. Is there no part of you that desires this woman as a man does, as more than a key to save your people?"
"First you ask me to send her to the center of the battle and now you wish me to take my time with her?" A'Ran shook his head. "You cannot have both, uncle. There is not time for both."
"You avoid my question," Mansr insisted. "You can be a man, a ruler, and a battle commander, A'Ran."
"Battle commander first." A'Ran sat once more, calming. Mansr grew grave and leaned forward.
"Son, you are not complete without her. Anshan is not complete and will never heal without her. You may battle all you wish, but you will never win until the balance is struck, until Anshan has its nishani, and its nishani is on the planet. You have forgotten how to be anyone but a battle commander."
"There has been only war as long as I can remember. Anshan needs her, but she can't stay where it's so unsafe, and she isn't adapting the way she should be," A'Ran said.