That was vivid. I see you're not one to bluff. Well, I'm not one to gamble. Okay, that - that's a lie, I love gambling, but not with my life. So, go on, what are you after?
A man of status has a way of bringing others up to his level, and what higher status is there than that of a Perandus? Yes, we're at odds, but consider, really consider, the benefits to you of not just having one but two men on the inside. One of them could even be a woman!
If you cut a Perandus, and you definitely should not do so, but if you do, we bleed diplomacy. Don't - don't test it. It's a metaphor. Put the knife away, and allow me to do what I was born to do: exchange information. If I whisper into the ear of a cohort, they will whisper into mine. And if you should overhear such whispers? Well, there's simply nothing I could do about that!
This work? This is grunt work. Look at me. Do I look like a grunt to you? Don't answer that. I didn't want to be doing this any more than you wanted me to. In fact, there's a job I've had my eye on for some time that I think you'll agree is much more suitable for a man of my stature.
The Syndicate is wonderful. It really is. If you weren't trying to kill all of us, I'd suggest you try it. Except I fear there's no more room... hmm... I know! I'll take a little leave of absence, and you can try it out for yourself! Might be tricky convincing the others, but, well, that won't really be my problem, will it?
My family name was once synonymous with intelligence, both of the mind, and of the... what's that ...thing called... espionage! Yes. Well, times may have changed, but we haven't. In exchange for keeping my lovely blood where it's meant to be, how about I tell you a few things you might find meaningful.
The Perandus family is not quite the goldmine it once was, but I myself am not entirely without items of value. Nothing is more valuable than the wonderful sound of my own beating heart, of course, so how about a good old fashioned pay-off?
Oh Janus, you've really done it this time! Look at the situation you've got yourself in. You're an employee! Listen here, Exile. This whole organisation is flipped on its head. I should be running the thing! In fact... how about you let me go, and I put my silly little boss here in a more suitable role, and I take the plinth I was born to take.
Do you know how my family got to be so wealthy so long ago? Blackmail. Probably blackmail. It was... wait, was it? Actually, I'm not sure. I should check that, but I really think it was very likely blackmail. Anyway, I have a truly shocking amount of dirt on everyone here. Let me go, and I'll turn the Syndicate headquarters into a field... because of all the dirt.
If there's one thing I simply can't stand, it's dying. I'd do almost anything to avoid it. I'd go so far as to kill someone! Or get someone to kill someone on my behalf, anyway. Not overly fond of blood. Let me go, and I'll get the ol' ball rolling on that murder.
I love a bit of gossip, don't you? Who's rutting whom, who's been swiping gold from the coffers - me - who's been planning what where within the Syndicate... you know... gossip! Can't gossip if you're dead though. That is one of many things you cannot do when you're dead.
Leo's the kind of scrappy fighter who just won't give up. It's as impressive as it is dangerous. A clever individual like yourself would take any opportunity to force him to give in, I'm sure.
How often do you find yourself with an assassin from the Brotherhood of Silence at your whim? If you don't take advantage of such an opportunity, well, I simply can't be held responsible for whatever viciously sharp object ends up in your spine later.
Look, Guff's a nice guy, for a pirate. Have you ever met a nice pirate? A pirate who wasn't just waiting to 'plunder' the old 'booty' as they say? I certainly haven't.
General Gravicius still demands that we call him General. Anyone who cares that much about status makes my Perandus blood boil over. Please, show him just how much his rank is worth.