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Euchor snarled, but he did not immediately reply "No," he said at last, "I won’t send Milnese soldiers to die in the South for Rhinebeck’s sake without so in return from hihtedness, but this was not unexpected Noas just a otiation
"Duke Rhinebeck has empowered me to make some concessions," the Painted Man said "He will not ree, but he will turn fifty percent of the tolls over to you for a period of ten years, in exchange for your aid"
"Only half, for a decade?" Euchor scoffed "That will barely buy rations for the soldiers"
"There is sootiate, Your Grace," the Painted Man said
Euchor shook his head "Not good enough Not good enough by far If Rhinebeck wantsmore"
The Painted Man inclined his head "And that is, Your Grace?"
"Rhinebeck has still failed to produce a asped, and the other men in the room shifted uncomfortably at the unseehting words that Euchor waved away
"I have grandsons," Euchor said "My line is secure"
"Your pardon, but what has this to do with an alliance?" the Painted Man asked
"Because if Rhinebeck wishes one, he will have toback at the woe tolls as her prohters all Mothers?" the Painted Man asked in confusion
"Indeed," Euchor said, "proven breeders, all of whoiven sons, but still in the flower of their youth"
The Painted Man glanced at the wo, but he made no comment "I ed, "To minor Royals, all I can dissolve their voith a wave, and any of theive him a son I’ll even let him choose which one"
Rhinebeck will die first, the Painted Man thought There will be no alliance
"I have not been eotiate such reed "I’ll put the offer in writing this very day, and send my herald to Rhinebeck’s court to deliver it personally"
"Your Grace," Keerin squeaked, again a sickly pallor, "surely you need iers, or I will throw you froleur’s h "Of course it is o, if I arunted, then turned his eyes back to the Painted Man "You still haven’t given me a price for your battle wards"
The Painted Man sriht you said they weren’t with you," Euchor said
The Painted Man shrugged "I lied"
"What do you want for theain