"That's a good answer," sighed Aurich as he closed his eyes and tilted his head back in thought.  Taking a moment, though he'd already decided on it some moments before, he suddenly offered his services to the Advent remnants.  "I've not nothing left to sell but my lance, my cart, and my books.  I'm letting Howard take over my old rights to the trade here effective tomorrow."  Turning his head slightly to look at her with a glance, he made a fancifully lazy salute with his free hand.  "So what do you say?  I could ask the renegades instead, since they seem to be a more profitable group right about now, but I think I'll follow a woman with good business sense instead.  Or would it bother you to have a subordinate that knows you're only acting tough and detached all the time?"