‘So do we all,’ Birin said. ‘That is the element to which I refer. Be wary. Watch for it. And-’ he said pointedly, ‘you might make mention of this to your friends, for Malina in particular will be the target of such people-’
Ralph was on his feet immediately, glaring. ‘What? You mean it’s not enough that the Thane’s soldiers are supposed to protect her?’
‘Not all the Thane’s soldiers are to be trusted,’ Birin told him simply. ‘I would be lying to you were I to claim otherwise, or to state that I knew for certain who and who not to trust, without reserve. Understand, it is not an easy or a simple matter to know where all loyalties lie. Many soldiers have had multiple allegiances, as they have served in various Merchants’ private mercenary armies, even while ostensibly being members of the Thane’s, the King’s, and Prince Cyr’s forces. There are all manner of hidden, private agendas at work, not the least of which involves spying and active attempts to undermine the Thane’s hold on power.
‘I want you to keep in mind, when training, that many of the best-trained, most lethal soldiers, are also assassins and opportunists. Being able to deal with them should rightly be your measure of quality as a soldier.’