"I have been a mercenary.  I just didn't start out that way," Nathan replied.  "That first war soured me on fighting for the king and the kingdom.  A mercenary gets paid better than a soldier, who fights for patriotism rather than for money."<br/><br/>He glanced at Zataire, running up onto the stage with a strange instrument.  "This should be interesting," he muttered.  But it meant he could leave the lute in his room and let someone else provide the music.  He liked guitar music.  But what Zataire was carrying, he was afraid to ask.