Thorn stared at the magician, his mouth still open. Then. "Drek! You drive a hard bargain, Neddy." He smiled as the name drew a wince from the mage. "O.K. chummers, you got yourselves a deal. But let’s get two things straight, up front. First, if you want me in, then I call the shots. If you need my help, then it means I know more about this kind of deal than you do. Second, if this mess starts to hose up the way the last one did, you won’t see me for dust, savvy?" Fortescue smiled. "My dear Thorn, if this operation goes the way of its unfortunate predecessors, dust will be our common destination."