Page 53 of Bloody Business

Advisor

“Thanks for the talk, Aunt Rho.You always make me think.”

The tavern was warm and comfortable.It was hailing outside, again.The weather had been ridiculous this season.

“That's what I'm here for, kid.”Zac was a good kid and ambitious.He was also smart enough to ask for advice.Even better, he put advice into action.Because of that, he was welcome to talk to her anytime.

Zac tapped his thumb against his beer, deep in thought.“Yeah, I think we'll go with plan b.We can afford that one.”

“Copper trade going that well?”Rho asked with a gleam in her eye.

“Copper, zinc, tin,” Zac agreed enthusiastically.“You were right.The outer villages have an iron mine, but they needed the other minerals.They've been sending back timber and forest products, and we've made a nice profit.Seems only right that I plow it back into my advisor's enterprise.”He winked.

“Just remember that war is a business like any other.Keep a cool head and don't overextend.If you get too wrapped up in your goal and forget to count the cost, you will stumble.There's no need for that.Keep your eyes open and steady on.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“So tell me about this girl your friend’s got his eye on.”

Zac frowned.“She's a nice enough girl, but caught up in a weird situation.I'm actually surprised a thug like Hurdle would adopt someone.”

“I'm not.He always was the more emotional of the Kan family.Losing his daughter just about broke him.The girl looks a lot like her, he saved her from drowning, and he views it as a second chance.”

She was old enough that she had seen a lot of the current city powers grow up.She understood what drove them.

Zul Kan now, he'd always been the favorite son.He probably thought it was because he was the strongest, but in the end it was because he was compliant to his father's wishes.He'd been spoiled and a bully, but he was also smart and vicious.He had leadership skills and Hurdle didn't.If Hurdle were suddenly in charge of his clan, all hell would break loose.He just didn't have the charisma to hold it together.

She thought about the girl.“Hard to say what time will bring with that one, but a word of advice for your friend: It's going to be a long game.She's not going to abandon her guardian.He saved her and she's loyal.Those are good things, but at her age they can be used for some dark crap.”

“So you think he should forget about her?”

She considered her words.“He might carefully lend a hand here and there, but he should go about his life.We're taking some steps to nudge the girl in the proper direction, but these things take time.You have to let the story play out.”She looked at him consideringly.“How patient is your friend?”

Zac tilted his hand.“Depends.He's pretty good at strategy.”

But he was also young, and hormones would urge him to find a girl of his own.Rho wouldn't gamble on his affection, or factor it into her plans.

She sniffed.“Time will tell.”

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