710 The Road Home - Part 9

Oliver looked at Nila. She stared back at him with determined eyes. "I thought you were going to hunt – that you didn't like the battlefield."

"No sane person likes the battlefield," Nila said. "But who says I need to be on the battlefield to help you? If you ever need a good shot of a bow, I can do that – but I'm other things now too, Beam. Or at least, I hope I am… I have my company, after all, and thirty different employees."

"Thirty!?" Oliver said. "You're that big already?"

She smiled at his reaction. "I am. And I'm pleased I am. Listening to you tell all that you've been up to makes me glad that I've worked hard, so I at least have something to be proud of… Even then, though, it doesn't seem to be enough. Oh, Beam, how are the Gods so cruel to put you in such a difficult spot once again?"