I believe it may be wise for you to consolidate your position here in Baresh for a time. The guilds truly are quite remarkable, and I think there is much benefit and profit we can gain. I spoke to your brother, Eladen, about this once before, but he would not hear reason. If we were to take a year, perhaps two—” “Benefit,” Belgarin spat, “Profit. You are a fat man, Claudius, and you have a fat man’s thoughts. Wars are won with men and steel and courage. Not profit, and you will not speak of my brother again.”
