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gave them a moment to study the figures. “You’ll note the steady geometric increase.”
    “And this figure at the bottom, what does it represent?” asked Febres-Cordero.
    “My estimated earnings for next year,” said Rosacher. “Expenses have yet to be determined. They will undoubtedly rise in keeping with expansion.”
    “This much?” Savedra looked at him in astonishment. “Surely that can’t be right?”
    “My bookkeeper assures me that it’s a most conservative estimate.”
    Rosacher noticed that Rooney was now studying his sheet of paper.
    “Where do you keep your money?” asked Paltz.
    “In a bank at Port Chantay. It’s more secure than the local bank.”
    “From this I gather that you consider yourself to be our greatest resource,” said Breque.
    “Yes, I do. One of them,” said Rosacher.
    “And the other?”
    “Griaule.”
    “Ah, yes. Griaule’s blood is the active ingredient in mab, is it not?”
    “It is,” said Rosacher. “The process by which it is refined is the key to creating the drug, and that process is known only to myself and my partner.”
    “And who might that be?” Savedra asked.
    “A man who wishes that his name not be divulged,” said Rosacher. “But to the point, gentlemen. I would like you to levy a tax on my business. Say, five percent of my net profits annually. Such a tax would validate my business as a legal entity and grant me the protections of the law.”
    “Five percent of your gross would be more persuasive,” said Rooney.
    “The precise figure can be negotiated at another time,” said Rosacher. “What I’m after today, if possible, is an agreement in principle.”
    He turned to his chair and found that Arthur was sitting in it. The giant made as though to stand, but Rosacher gestured for him to keep his seat and stood behind him.
    “There is one more thing I want to propose,” he said. “As you’re aware, Mister Honeyman has organized a security force to safeguard my interests. I would like to expand that force into a militia…with your participation, of course. The day is coming when cities more powerful than ours will grow envious of Teocinte’s prosperity and attempt to pirate my process and take control of the dragon. We need to be prepared against that day. I would be willing to fund the militia, but it would benefit your peace of mind, I think, if you were to share that burden, both as to costs and the constituency of the force. I propose that you appoint someone from your ranks to administer the militia. A general, if you will. He would oversee its functioning, the purchase of materiel and so forth, and would decide matters of policy. A militia further requires a general in the field, someone skilled in the art of war, someone who has the ability to train the men and lead them. I can think of no one more qualified for the post than Mister Honeyman.”
    Arthur glanced up at him, but quickly hid his startled expression and fixed the council members with his terrible smile. Palz, who had appeared on the verge of raising an objection, held his peace.
    “It’s an intriguing proposition.” Breque clasped his hands, resting his forearms on the table. “And the picture you paint is a tempting one. A prosperous town, a contented populace, and, if your business continues to thrive, everyone in this room will become wealthy and powerful.”
    “You’ve no idea how wealthy,” Rosacher said. “We’ve barely scratched the surface of what is possible. Consider how many other substances helpful to humankind may be found within Griaule’s body.”
    “As I said, an intriguing proposal, though one that veers dangerously close to bribery. I have little doubt that you would be capable of achieving your goals under ordinary circumstances, but these circumstances are far from ordinary. When we were elected to the council, we swore an oath whose primary dictate was that we would do everything in our power to destroy Griaule. Now you ask us to protect