"Changed your mind? You were chasing a futile death. Energetically."

"Your armies crushed us even divided. I have no allegiances left. You beat me personally, and seem decent enough. And I kind of want to see where the winds take this woken Spire thing. That's new."

"You understand you're beaten, and knuckle under. I respect that. I'm inclined to accept your fealty. Thoughts, anyone?"

"I can respect a will to live. But don't expect that this one will keep her loyalty to you if your circumstances become similarly dire."

"I'll have to watch - Eb? - but I accept that risk. I won't be hypocritical; I did the same, once. When my Beast-mother died."

"She's tough. I say take her. And if she doesn't stay in line, I'll take care of it."

"Right. Your oath, then."

She rises to her knees and inclines her head. "I, Eb of the Tidecasters, do hereby pledge my life and loyalty to Fatebinder Kohl. I will serve and obey so long as you have need or want of my skills."

"I accept that pledge." He offers a hand to help her rise.

"What's next?"

"You should ensure your new domain is secure. No leftover rats skulking in the cellars, for example."

"There's not much more to see up here. Back down to the Hall, then. Where power did stand before me after all."

"As I said it did." Through the portal?

"Yes, you were entirely correct. By whatever means. If you please, avoid courting treason so openly before Barik or the other Disfavored; they're not flexible or forgiving in disposition."

"They should open their minds a little, I think."

"Their traditions are a big part of their power, quite literally; 'Graven Ashe protects' all the better because he knows every soldier's name and lineage. Keeping the tactics and mindset of the beginnings of that lineage is all part of it. Boring, maybe, but practical."

A weakness she'll keep in her back pocket.

"Not quite as bad as it could be, if it works."

"The ultimate test, yes."

And then they step up to the portal, and as quickly as they rose, they are all back in the center of Ascension Hall.

It's much as they left it, if you include the shattered floor, portal in the center, and glowing pattern on the under-floor toward the throne in 'how they left it'. Barik is speaking with a purple-armored woman with a flared helm and a completely-covering faceplate. A few other Disfavored soldiers stand behind her at the doors.

"Fatebinder! The Marshal has sent birds to the General and Tunon, conveying our victory and your achievement. I was about to return above."

"Excellent. Rapid replies ahead, surely. Concerns, Marshal?"

"Fatebinder! Thank you for the assistance of you and your team, our victory would have been considerably more difficult without you. The Chorus fled when the Spire flared, so they will be running to Nerat's skirts as we speak. For concerns: minimal ones only. While I appreciate you offering the outer fortress, we'd actually prefer not to garrison it. If you claimed the entirety - or even the whole valley - as Court territory, that would reduce our patrol needs and let us focus on the main camp at Iron Hearth and bottling the Chorus up into the Stone Sea."

"The fortress, certainly; I hereby claim the Mountain Spire, Ascension Hall, and its fortress as a Fatebinder's Court; let all blades be sheathed and all vendettas be suspended within. For the valley... I will consider it. I assume you need a few days to withdraw in good order?"

"That's reasonable. If you reach a decision, let myself or the General know."

Some politics at play here she should investigate at some point. So the remaining faction is the Disfavored, which makes the ones in red the Chorus. Fatebinders as representatives of the Archons who more or less embody the law, it seems, all under this Kyros. Kohl is a Fatebinder who serves Archon Tunon, as do these Disfavored, apparently. And the Chorus are for... Nerat? Presumably another Archon, apparently not all is harmonious under the reign of Kyros. Good, she can use that.

Not quite correct, but she'd probably have to admit not knowing to get someone to straighten it out for her.

"I will. Meanwhile - I introduce Tidecaster Eb, willingly sworn Kyros' subject under me, and the terrifyingly effective Celes, who assisted us just outside Ascension Hall. Please avoid aiming friendly fire at them."

"We will... clear out the oathbreaker's kitchens and barracks. Then rest until missives and orders arrive."