This last she directs at Chumley, who just shrugs.
“I suppose it’s as good a place as any to start. Something about that analysis of the tax structure bothers me, though.”
I tended to agree with Chumley, but Tananda is on a roll.
“Save it for the financial heavyweights,” she waves. “For the time being, let’s focus on doing what we’re good at.”
“And just what do you figure that is?” Massha interrupts. “Excuse me, but could you two run that by again slowly for the benefit of those of us who aren’t used to your brother/sister shorthand?”
“Well, the way I see it, our best bet is to work on making Hemlock’s expansion program unpopular. I mean, there’s not much the five of us can do about stopping the army by ourselves, but if we can get the populace worked up maybe the queen will have to reconsider … or at least slow down.”
“We could try to kill her,” Massha sez pointedly. “True,” Tananda acknowledges, “and don’t think I haven’t given that option some serious thought. I think it’s a little more drastic than Skeeve had in mind when he sent us on this mission, though. Anyway, I think I’d like to hold that option in reserve for now, or at least until Skeeve catches up with us and we have a chance to clear it with him.”
“Well, if you don’t mind, there’s another possibility I’d like to try.”
“What’s that, Massha?”
“Tell me, Big Julie, is General Badaxe still running the army?”
“Hugh? Sure is. He’s a fast learner, that one. Remembers mostly everything I’ve taught him about runnin’ an army.”
“Well,” Massha sez, heaving herself to her feet, “I think I’ll just wander off and try to find his headquarters. He had quite a thing for me the last time I was through. Maybe if I look him up again, I can get his mind off running the army for a while, or at least distract him enough that they won’t be quite so efficient.”