"No. I'm not even purging your uncle. In strict confidence, I'm hiding Wittigis to keep Thiudahad from harming him."
"Really? Can I believe that?"
"Sure. I'll even get a letter from him, testifying to the good treatment he's getting."
"Letters can be produced by torture."
"Not with Wittigis. For all your uncle's faults, I think you will agree that he's a stubborn chap."
Urias relaxed visibly. "That's something. Yes, if that's true, perhaps you have some decency, after all."
"Now to get down to business. How do you feel about working for us—that is, nominally for Thiudahad but actually for me?"
Urias stiffened. "Out of the question. I'm resigning my commission, of course. I won't take any action disloyal to my uncle."
"I'm sorry to hear that. I need a good man to command the reoccupation of Dalmatia."
Urias shook his head stubbornly. "It's a question of loyalty. I've never gone back on my plighted word yet."