I finally understood. Looking at Connor now, begging on his knees, the desperation in his eyes. The terror.
Why did Connor trade the shard? Why did he gather all the Risen together for us to slaughter? Why did he threaten the only land I'd ever called home? Each of those things, on its own, was enough to guarantee his loss. Or at least make his life incredibly difficult.
And yet he'd taken every step. Deliberately. All for this moment.
My vision was right. Connor never planned on winning.
At least, not what anyone else would consider winning.
Tears gathered in my eyes as my friends' expressions hardened. R'lissea trembled, but she didn't loosen her grip on her staff.
"You'll become a lich?" she whispered, horrified. "One of those...monsters?"
Connor looked up, regaining his feet and some of his composure. He managed a cruel grin, but the cold was distant in his eyes. "If you kill me, I swear it."
