Dark Heat company, the Order of the Silver Ram and the Blue Wolves. Fayyim was unsure of who was truly a friend and who was a foe. People talked and smiled with her, of course, but these were all empty pleasantries, as she knew that many were threatened by her advancements. It had been the same way throughout her career. Whether it was reaching the elite job of Accessor, creating the Red Front and building it with more ease and success than any other Hurdland army, or now gaining the highest rank behind Field Marshal or Admiral of the Fleet, people always took umbrage.


    our woods.'' Fayyim took another gulp of her wine. ''Listen, it''s obvious that Thorn has our Supreme Leader''s ear, but I can''t see Cairo allowing him to re-station important border forces without good reason. No one down south knows the details, but you''ve been stationed at the city for some time. You must know something.''


    donations to them also.''


    Damn it! ''Is Cairo really that in need of Thorn''s money that he can''t quash this idiotic strategy?'' Fayyim wiped her lips.


    ''I can''t believe that they''d still allow it.'' There has to be something else.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    This is a risk, but he will be mine.


    I was not expecting this. ''I must admit, you have me up against the ropes. Let me ask, what about you? You speak of good men, do you include yourself?''


    the old man is the one who placed him there.''


    You know I''m stumped. He must have read her mind, because he nodded gleefully. ''I want...'' She dug deep. ''I want to win the war.''


    the Information Broker. I wanted to know why corruption in the capital was spreading. Using Thorn''s money was the only way I could afford it.'' Alexander stared into Fayyim''s eyes with intensity. ''Do you want to know what I learned?''


    I... She did not know what was right or wrong here, yet... ''I will.''