"I think we should wish you luck." The liar's smile changed into something secret. He wanted to be heard. "There is no tragedy in getting rid of us. It is only if we try to stop ourselves that the costs will be too great."

"What of wrath?"

The king's interjection caught the liar off-guard, and he looked back at him. "That's your speciality, not mine, my liege."

"Not our wrath, but the vengeance of he who arranged these."

"He thrives off of defiance." Yet the liar did hesitate, and a frown edged its way into his smile. "Though I wouldn't gamble on him opting out of retribution."

The king met the Doctor's eyes. Callous as he could be, he spoke now with conviction. "Whatever methods you may use, be careful for those you choose as allies."

And the liar rubbed the skin at his wrist, remembering. "Even winning has a price."