How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
As Torrens admitted, it was health only of the body. The king spent his new energy pursuing his old obsession. Cabbarus had no intention of turning him from it. Instead of warning him against disappointment, Cabbarus provided Augustine with still more occultists and spiritualists, each with a different method of summoning the departed. They shared one thing in common: failure. Each disappointment took its toll of Augustine's health, undoing the best efforts of the court physician. (9.3)
One of the ways Cabbarus keeps control of the king is by giving the monarch what he asks for—necromancers. They never deliver and the king gets more depressed, allowing Cabby to keep his power. After all, Cabbarus is doing only what his monarch asked… just, you know, for a totally self-serving purpose.
Quote #8
Cabbarus stretched out an accusing finger at the court physician. "You have gone too far. You are dismissed from His Majesty's service. Banished from the kingdom. Return at your peril, under pain of death. Be grateful your punishment is so light."
"These are your words, not the king's. You have done your best to make a puppet of him, and have done all too well." The court physician was a vigorous man with the arms and shoulders of a peasant. He pushed Cabbarus aside and dropped to one knee before Augustine.
"I beg you, Sire, listen to me. You risk your life and sanity for no purpose. This villain puts words in your mouth. Speak for yourself."
Augustine's lips trembled, but the words were clear. "We banish you. Set foot again in our kingdom and your life is forfeit. Such is our Royal Will." (9.20-23)
Cabbarus doesn't have the authority to get rid of Dr. Torrens, so he puts his words into the king's mouth to banish his greatest rival. This manipulative man knows just what to do, just how to wield his power with the monarch to serve his own interests.
Quote #9
"Listen to me, all of you," he muttered through clenched teeth. "I don't want you damaged, but I'll have you one way or another. As for this one," he added, indicating Theo, "he had a hand in getting you out of Nierkeeping. I know that and it's not your concern how I know it. He's mixed up with that band of rebels, and I can turn him over to the military here and now. They'll put him against a wall and shoot him. Or you can all come nicely and quietly, and that other matter stays a friendly little secret among us. That's a fair bargain, wouldn't you say?" (22.11)
Skeit has captured Las Bombas, Mickle, Theo, and Musket, at Cabbarus's behest. He's got perhaps two of the most effective means of influence at his disposal—sheer brute force, and power over Theo's fate. Yup—Skeit's definitely running the show here.