<strong>"Well...gods, she told me that he had a quick contract for me, a simple escort through some dangerous territory that paid well. I'd heard what a rotter he was, but I wasn't planning to kill him and take his loot until I was sure he had a good amount on hand. You know merchant princes-there's no great vault of wealth, just some pieces of paper that can't be redeemed if you kill them before they cash in. But he and his niece...they had my number. He may not have seemed it, but Zoltan was smart. He knew exactly how to dig claws into people. You compromise your morals for a promise of a bigger payoff, bit by bit. One day you realize the payoff is never coming, but you've become addicted to the lifestyle." </strong>She sighed.<br/><br/><strong>"Even when he ordered me to his bed, it wasn't enough to break the lethargy. He delighted in having me sit at his feet during special occasions, serving him wine with my caste mark flaring. The one time I tried to go after him, Maryanne was on me like an eel, with that *sword* of hers."</strong>she shuddered visibly.<br/><strong><br/>"It's not even a real blade. It's made of golden light and burns like fire. I once saw her disintegrate a dozen demons at once with it. Literally, not a single mote of them left. Even I couldn't beat her with my Thunder Dance, so I guess...I just got used to it."</strong>