"Yeah, that definitely sounds like the boss," Kagan said humorlessly. "I can't imagine he has the power to go after your people - he's a respected merchant leader, but not the king. Even so... I wouldn't push it." Kagan looked down for a moment, pushing past a painful memory. "Before he gave me permission to use my name, I was #10. That's because there were nine orcs before me in his estate. None of them were obedient enough to be kept alive.<br/><br/>"One day we're going to break his bones, #74. We'll tear him apart - and live to tell about it. But until then, you'd better start learning how to kiss the floor or whatever you said. Lay low, find out what he wants and do it. Wait until the perfect moment."<br/><br/>The orc yawned. It was later than he had thought it was. "You should get to bed. If he has you report to me again tomorrow, you're either being punished or trained for something. Think about what I said - no matter how you feel about 'Goody', if one of you dies the other dies too."