'Look around us,' he says, tossing a hand around the room. 'The Archduchy is weak, peopled by half-hearted plunderers and ineffectual politicians. Chaos beats upon the walls like a coastal tide. Perhaps these hobgoblins will lay waste to the town now, or perhaps the Order of the Skull rises in power and seizes control after five generations of guild masters—who is to say?'
Odium scratches his chin, a little lost in contemplative thought. 'But it will happen. This place will fall to those strong enough and willing to take it. Whether it is tomorrow or a hundred years from now is immaterial to our friend, who's understanding of the passage of time must be beyond our mortal comprehension. To him, what is a few generations?'
He listens to the Visitor's reply with genuine interest and respect. The thought of an immortal being needing a vacation causes him to raise his eyebrows—it seems he was right after all, his mortal mind simply cannot fathom a demon's understanding of time. 'Ennobled Demon, I have no desire for immediate help, beyond learning what I can for my own purposes. One must know where one stands between powers, and play the sides accordingly.' Odium continues to scratch at his throat, draining the last of his drink. He looks askance at Bromric and Melvin, clearly considering new possibilities. Then he returns to a quieter whisper,
