“A stupid enemy, if you defeat them, will come back and try the same thing again,” Charles said. “A competent enemy will learn from the experience, then come back in greater strength. In this case, that would mean fifty hired thugs instead of twenty, and five vanguards instead of two. Enough that you and Calhoun would have no chance against them at all.” Charles glanced at me. “Always assume your enemies are competent rather than stupid. That way, all your surprises will be pleasant ones.”
