at him. A farmer or a merchant seaman or a seafront customs agent.
"Bad weather for traveling," the general said, amiably, as if they were
simply two men who'd met at a wayhouse. He spoke the Khaiate tongue
clearly, his accent flavoring the words rather than obscuring them.
"It's always wet in the South this time of year," Sinja agreed in
Galtic. "Not always so cold, but that's why the gods made wool. "['hat
or as a joke against sheep."
The general smiled, either at the words or the language they were in,
Sinja wasn't certain. Sinja kept his expression pleasant and empty. They
both knew he was here to sell the use of his men, but only the general
knew why the meeting was here and not with some low captain. Sinja opted
to wait and see what came of it. Balasar Gice seemed to read his
intention; he nodded and walked to a side table, where he poured them
both clear wine from a cut-glass carafe. No, not wine. Water.
"I hear the Khai Machi turned you out," the general said in Galtic as he
passed a cup to Sinja. That wasn't true. Sinja had told the captain that
they were out from Nlachi, but perhaps there had been some
misunderstanding. Sinja shrugged. It was too early in the game to
correct anyone's misconceptions.
"It's his right," he said. "Some of the men were causing trouble. Too
long in a quiet place. I'm sure you understand."
Balasar chuckled. It was a warm sound, and Sinja found himself liking
the man. Balasar nodded to a couch beside the brazier. Sinja made a
small how and sat, the general leaning casually against the table.
"You left on good terms?"
"We didn't turn back and burn the city," Sinja said, "if that's what you
mean.
"Do you owe the Khai Machi loyalty? Or are you a free company?"
The truth was that any silver he took would find its way back to Otah
Machi's coffers. The company was no more free than the Galtic armies
outside the city. And yet there was something in the general's voice
when he asked the question, something in his eyes.
"We're mercenaries. We follow whoever pays us," Sinja said.
"And if someone should offer to pay you more? No offense, but the one
thing you can say of loyalty for hire is that it's for hire."
"We'll finish out a contract," Sinja said. "I've been through enough to
know what happens to a company with a reputation for switching sides
mid-battle. But I won't lie, the boys I have are green, most of them.
They haven't seen many campaigns."
It was a softening of these poor bastards hardly know which end's
thesharp one but the meaning was much the same. The general waved the
concern aside, which was fascinating. Balasar Gice wasn't interested in
their field prowess. Which meant he either wanted them to lead the
charges and soak up a few enemy spears and arrows-hardly a role that
asked the general's presence at the negotiation-or there was something
more, something that Sinja was still missing.
"How many of them speak Galt?"
"A third," Sinja said, inventing the number on the spot.
"I may have use for them. How loyal are they to you?"