"It won't be my first time either," Marcus says, a mild form of no thank you. "Although a mining company's payroll is a richer target than we had much opportunity for."

The 'we' is not so esoteric a reference, light sketches made in the past of a less-than-lawful existence in the wake of the rebellion: Tsenka, some others, some Julius and Petrana have met, whether in Cumberland or otherwise. Certainly, he didn't come into possession of Kevin through and exchange of gold and papers.

"I think asking about work is a different thing than doing work," to Julius. "Barely."