One of them swung and knocked the signboard clean off its hooks.
It hit the ground and split in two.
The leader glanced at the moonstone bracelet on my temp worker's wrist and sneered:
"So it's true. You're the one corrupting wolves' hearts with money."
I stared at the shattered signboard. My voice was flat:
"What exactly do you think you're doing?"
"Take your wolves and get lost! Stop spreading this filth! It's because of coin-poisoned vermin like you that everyone's heads are full of nothing but profit!
"You call yourself a Duskborne? Our bloodline is a house of moon-singers! And you drag our name through the mud like this!"
I said nothing.
I just looked past him at the men he'd brought along.
My temp workers could afford moonstone bracelets.
His wolves still had patches sewn onto their trousers.
I clapped my hands together.
"New trading post opening! Five den-cooks, ten clerks, one pack manager needed! Three moon-coins a month, plus commission! Sign the blood-oath and get territory shares!"
The wolves standing behind Edric visibly froze.
From the moment they'd arrived, their eyes had been drifting over to my people. Every few seconds, a flash of envy crossed their faces.
"Me!"