Toby's burning ambition may have gone unnoticed by his companions, but Anaphiel and Cleome didn't miss a thing in their every reaction. The office worker saw an opportunity, but the cold beauty wanting no treachery in her own camp intervened immediately,
"If any of you wish to acquire your own Stele to establish your own fiefdom in the near future, I can promise you that you will be able to renegotiate your contract when you get one. There is no point in scheming against your comrades to achieve your goals. Better to help them conquer a neighboring territory and get the Stele of its former Lord as a reward.
"Am I clear?"
As she said these last words she cast a stern look at the veteran English soldier and he swallowed uneasily, aware that she was seeing right through him. Malia and Ellie were confused, but as they caught Toby's shifty eyes, they understood that the warning was meant for him.
