Watching my surroundings I spied two things I did not like. There were dozens of crows among the trees. And that priest Tal I had embarrassed earlier, with several of his cronies, was watching us.

The Prahbrindrah said, Im under a lot of pressure because of you. Some from close quarters. It puts me in a delicate position.

Where was his sister? Were she and Smoke riding him? Probably. I shrugged and ate.

The prince said, It would help if I knew your plans.

I told him.

Suppose some important people dont approve or dont feel youre the right champion?

It wouldnt matter. Theres a contract in force. It will be fulfilled. And I dont distinguish between enemies foreign or domestic.

He understood.

Nothing got said during the next course. Then he blurted, Did you kill Jahamaraj Jah?

Yes.

My gods! Why?

His existence offended me.

He gulped some air.

He deserted at Dejagore. That cost us the battle. That was reason enough. But he also planned to kill your sister and blame me. He had a wife. If Shadar women are foolish enough to kill themselves over men, you can tell her to fire her ghat. Any priests wife who has a husband like Jah had better start collecting firewood. Shell need it.

He winced. Youll start a civil war.

Not if everybody behaves and minds his own business.

You dont understand. Priests consider everything their business.

How many men are we talking about? A few thousand? You ever watch a gardener prune? He snips a twig here, a branch there, and the plant grows stronger. Ill prune if I have to.

But... Theres only you. You cant take on...

I can. I will. Im going to fulfill the contract. And so are you.

What?

Ive heard that you and your sister didnt negotiate in good faith. Not smart, my friend. Nobody cheats the Company.

He did not respond.

Im not really good at games. Im not subtle. My solutions are forthright and final.

Forthright and final begets forthright and final. You kill a Jah, the other Jahs will get the idea their only option is to kill you.

Only if they ignore the option of minding their own business. And wheres my risk? I have nothing to lose. Thats the fate planned for me once Im used up, anyway. Why cooperate in my own destruction?

You cant just keep killing people who dont agree with you.

I wont. Only people who disagree and try to force their ideas on me. Here in Taglios, now, theres no legitimate cause for conflict.

The prince seemed surprised. I dont follow.

Taglios must be preserved from the Shadowmasters. The Company contracted to do that. Wheres the problem? We do what we agreed, you pay up as agreed, we go away. That ought to make everyone happy.