Listening to her words brought me pause. The Emperor had not sent me sooner as I had been busy conquering other lands, other local warlords. There was some merit there, however. She did make some sense... and I was embarrassed. I had let my ego rule my common sense.

"OX! Stop it all, at once." I took a deep breath, and remembered the religious teachings of my youth. I sat down, crossed my legs, and remembered the venerable teachings of Atisha.
"The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."

Ox and his minions and my guards all stood there, shocked, as I recited the mantra again and again. This was my destiny.

After fifteen minutes I arose. "Free them. Get the physician to help them up to Cleo's apartment and treat them as needed. No more pain. We will rule together, learn from each other, help our people to heal the rift caused."

I walked to my throne room, feeling light and airy, truly happy for the first time in years. My ministers rushed into the room around the throne.

"I proclaim this from this day forward; there will be no cruelty practiced by our troops, only defense of our people and our lands. Half of the taxes we collect will go to building roads, teaching our people to read, educating physicians and teachers. We will become famous for our knowledge, our goodness."

Cleo had followed me to the throne room, listening and shaking her head in wonder.

Finally, I turned to her. "And, if she will have me, I would marry my conscience, Cleo. What say you?"