"How," Petra said simply.
"Numbers," Eve said. "I showed them what the next fifty years look like under the current system versus the reformed one. The current system produces instability, faction conflict, and the kind of governance vacuum that allows one person to corrupt the entire structure." She paused. "The reformed system produces something more equitable and considerably more durable." She held Petra's gaze. "When the numbers are honest most people will follow them. Even when the numbers require them to give something up."
Petra looked at her for a long moment.
"You're not what I expected," she said.
"What did you expect," Eve said.
"Someone with a claim and a throne and a political agenda," Petra said. "Someone who needed our endorsement to legitimize her position and would say what we wanted to hear to get it."
