Identity

Nova watched me as I processed the idea that my own species was potentially just as bloodthirsty as I had thought the Valcox were. I could see alarm growing in her expression and figured it must be on my face.

Nova put a hand on my shoulder, I leaned into her steady touch, "Most of those wars ended long ago," Nova assured me, "Once the An family had married into the other families. It is rare for Licnine to war on each other unprovoked anyway."

"I just always assumed..." I trailed off feebly.

"That the island being split into four was the natural way of things?" Nova tilted her head, "A tempting idea, but no, that is wars making. War made peace for us."

"So the island finally found true peace after war?" I asked.

"Generally, yes," Nova shrugged, "My people have found none. We're watchers, and we watch, but we don't participate."

"What happened to the Licnine in the book, they disappear abruptly," I shuddered.