So what ive kinda wondered is this. Does the empire really care about losing Ala Mhigo? Wasnt the primary reason that they invaded so that they could get their hands on Ultima, which was buried beneath Ala Mhigo? Sure, you dont tend to give back land that youve conquered and you can still conscript the young and whatnot. But the land there is kinda crap, and they seem to treat Ala Mhigans even worse then they treat the people in some of the other lands theyve taken. And yeah, killing Zenos probly needs to be answered for regardless. But it felt to me like Varis sent Zenos away to a land they didnt care about so he could play without interfering in the business of running the empire - that he was powerful and good at putting down rebellions(before he met us) being a bonus.