A hum of agreement. Yes, John has found this to be true. Has even known it to be true for longer than he has known Madi; there is a reason he had considered Antiva to be the optimal place to vanish once he'd had his share of the prize.

His thumb runs up and down her shoulder lightly as he leans forward to hook his own untouched mug and set it before her.

"We've had some dealings with the Merchant Princes," John tells her. "But they squabble among themselves. Convince one to do something and another will do the opposite out of spite."

Not ideal for forming a united front against a common threat.

"Was it a wasted effort?" he asks, gentle over the question.