"Yeah," she agreed, straightening up a little. "If people didn't join the Call, then they'd get attacked for real. Dad made sure they were covered for when things got serious."

"Right," the intervening snorted. "He attacked us and conned us out of our money because he wanted to help."

Veeka tensed, grip tightening on her cup. She jerked, started to turn, faltered suddenly. She didn't fight with words though, either.