24
- 24 -
It was a different Shorack who let himself into Leopold’s room a few hours later.
“Ah, my wordy friend. I’m impressed—not many can manipulate Darcea like that.”
Leopold was certain his confusion was writ large across his face. “But she voted against action, did she not? My words failed to convince.”
“You don’t know the woman. She wouldn’t show a change of heart so openly.”
“It was not my intention to manipulate, simply to present a valid argument for the case for direct action. I would call it an exchange of viewpoints, and I merely expressed a logic she could not fail to appreciate.”
But it had been manipulation. That was what all debate was—the desire to change the viewpoint of the opposition.
“Whatever—she’s playing along now.” There was a slight hesitation, and
