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((The Mon/Wen/Fri Double -- page 2 of 2))
"You surprise me, Hector," said David. "You think quite lowly of yourself despite all you have accomplished."

That wasn't it. Well, okay, maybe it was, partially. But Hector still remembered the conversation that he'd had with the Queen back at the Gala, when Garovel had explained his thoughts regarding why Intar might be interested in acquiring Atreya. Prince David hadn't been present for that conversation; and even if he had been, he wouldn't have been able to hear Garovel, so now Hector was thinking that perhaps he should try to reiterate the reaper's points as best he could.

'Heh,' said Garovel privately. 'You thinkin' about explaining what I told you guys before?'

'Er, yeah. How could you tell?'

'Just a guess, based on the conversational context combined with the sneaky looks you're givin' me. Go on and tell him, then. Don't worry. I'll correct you if you fuck up horribly.'

'Thanks.'

Hector took a seat in a maple wood chair across from the Prince. "So... we have a suspicion that the reason Intar wants to annex Atreya... is because it wants to prevent Atreya from paying back its debt to Intar's enemies. Specifically, Dozer."

Prince David's eyes went vacantly down to the coffee table in front of him as he processed that thought. "I see..."

"And, er, if that's been their motivation this whole time," said Hector, "then it would make sense why the budgetary problems of the war aren't making them change their mind."

"Because in their eyes, the annexation is part of the war," concluded David, rubbing his chin. "Yes. That may well be the case."

'Good job,' said Garovel, again privately. 'Now ask him if he's caught wind of Intar offering to annex any other countries.'

Hector did so.

"...As a matter of fact, I have," said David. "Two of our neighbors, Kahm and Rendon, have received offers. And this one is only a rumor, a very dubious one at that, but I have also heard Czacoa has recently been sent an offer as well."

Hector blinked. "In the middle of the war with Vantalay?"