"And its all the more reason to keep causing trouble for the dear doctor. If you succeed, you can make him look like a fool. If you fail or have to retreat, it can make him overconfident. There's very little middle ground with people like him." Especially at this stage. Recluse had worked quite hard to remove such flaws form himself. He hadn't succeeded yet, but he'd never admit it.

"I am also curious about the man. I've run into many schisms like this, but details can be crucial." Like with his own split with Marcus. Nothing would ever get him to trust that man again.

"The Empire's boarders grew too wide, and the rulers too complacent, too used to their power. They had been the world's greatest military power for centuries, but they were unable to fend off the 'barbaric' invaders." A highly simplified version of events, but he wasn't giving a history lesson.