"Do they really think a Great Family needs help from people like them?"
Trafalgar watched the two mercenaries vanish into the crowd before answering. "I doubt they believe you need them. They heard there was fighting in Dvergar territory and decided there might be money in it before it ends."
"That's exactly what irritates me." Borin folded his arms. "The moment word gets out that we're dealing with a conflict, every hired blade, supplier and broker turns up with an offer. Half of them talk as if we're one bad month from begging strangers to fight our battles."
Trafalgar knew the broad outline already: several lesser houses pressing into Dvergar territory over mines, deep holdings and the routes that carried metal through the region. He had never heard enough to judge how serious it had become.
"I've heard the general reports, but not much beyond that. How bad is it actually?"
