[Kref]

Marington position is clean - he wants to live.
Before considering joining Marington or even not fighting him, anyone may look at Marington's gem income. It's clear that Marington is capable of summoning a seraph or 5 angels of fury per two turns. If you think that this is a lesser threat for your existance then masses of chaff when all spells are learned, then there is a wisdom in Marington's words.
I could expand much easily if I choosed some other nation, for example Machaka, but it's a suicide tactic in long terms.

One other thing - Marington lies when he sais that I brought masses of armies to his border and then canceled pact. I canceled pact, then brought considerable armies to his borders. I and Marington both concentrated forces on board a turn before war could start according to NAP. He also mistakes speaking that I thought he would be an easy target - I just know that also he is a hard target, he is much softer now than he would be after some time.