Quality Time (Part 1)
"I exploit the criminals to find the weak points of my trading routes and the flaws in my security, be they of human origin or not." Every five years or so, I have a chivalrous knight of the Desert rise against me and challenge my rule.
"Those who have the resources and the will to form a new country always follow him. The knight racks only victories, making his followers grow in number until even the most cowardly among the traitors crawl out of the shadows, certain that victory is at hand.
"At that point, I make my move and get rid of them all at the same time." Salaark shrugged.
"If they have an army so big that they can challenge your authority and such a powerful leader, how can it be so easy?" Tista asked.
"Because I'm that knight, silly Featherling!" Salaark shapeshifted several times into different men and women, each one of them exuding the charisma of a natural-born leader.