INBOX

[sprent]

crystal, action, book, misc

Comments

[wythersake]

Of course. Every acquisition is special in the eyes of the Maker.

[ but less blithely: ]

I'm afraid we look a riskier investment than years past, but we're also further from our old ties. Separating from the March has lost us security, and perhaps widened our pool of friends. They know we need to pay our bills.

[sprent]

It has widened. (The lists of contacts that she has for trade alone are significant.) It's a good thing, of course it is, but it makes for a lot of work.

(A chuckle.) I was supposed to be running my parent's business after their retirement. You know? This is much bigger than that.

[wythersake]

We're fortunate to have you. I daresay our scholars and soldiers own a deal less experience than even that. [ but: ] Do you think you'll return to it?

[sprent]

Thank you Isaac. I'm fortunate to be here.

(And she still sounds just as casually optimistic when she says,) No, that ship has sailed. My younger brother'll have the job now.

[wythersake]

Perhaps he'd consider hiring you on. If you could stand to be bossed about – I understand younger brothers often due a bit of revenge.

[sprent]

Oh, he'd never do that. He knows if I got in there I'd immediately start to boss him about.

Do you have any siblings?

[wythersake]

An elder sister – [ which must explain whose side he's on ] – And two brothers when I left, so I trust she didn't go without servants.