Quoted By:
“Hold on a sec,” you held up a hand, “Maybe he went behind your back for this, but I ain’t doin’ the same to him. Let me talk with him about it before anythin’.”
Mathilda’s face was stone. “Now, why would that be necessary? Are you having second thoughts?” She glanced to Magnus. “Besides, I have already spoken with him. He knows I’ve come to ask this of you. So why wait?”
If she was lying, she did it like she breathed, and you couldn’t say for sure that she hadn’t done what she said.
She looked so much like Richter’s wife that it had been creeping you out a little, put you on guard automatically, with how much Maddalyn Von Blum seemed to (unrighteously) hate your guts.
“…Fine.” You relented, “Not like Karel can’t watch for himself. I’d prefer t’ tell him ‘bout this myself, though. But if you think he’ll just give up on this ‘cause I ain’t sticking my nose in this…”
“I expect not, no,” Mathilda said, a smile creeping across her cheeks, “But it’s one less avenue of escape. Besides.” Her smile went south, “If you were insistent,” She glanced down to where her frown went, “I know well the feeling of aspiring to where you are unwanted by the world. Conspired against. Considered detritus in spite of any effort you might make to rise above that notion, treated like a bastard.”
“It ain’t like that.”
Mathilda’s eyes flicked back up annoyedly. “Yet if it were not.”
What a weirdo. “How about that compensation, then?”
The corners of the little woman’s mouth went tight. “You are a mercenary, after all. I thought you might feel more remorse.”
“If I backed off for nothing, Van Halm would be upset. If I’ve got somethin’ to show for it, I think he won’t mind at all.”
Mathilda closed her eyes halfway. Almost like she was a bit annoyed at you just going for the metaphorical consolation prize so quick, even if she was getting what she wanted. “Firstly. The information you should be concerned about.”
“How about the material thing?”
“Did I not say anything you want?” Mathilda raised an eyebrow, “Do you doubt my ability to provide? Simply name it. But hear this first.” She waited for a retort, but you said nothing, and she took it as prompt to continue. “The Fall of the Netillian Military Government resulted in many people being put out of comfortable positions, into places where they feel safer elsewhere. My family is resourceful. We have obtained permission…well, <span class="mu-i">I</span> obtained permission for them, to allow in those with useful skills to our lands, to find gainful employment. A swathe of Netillian immigrants has thus come forth, besides your own accompaniment.”
