Juleios smiled faintly and said, "My answer is to accept Thurii's employment."
Although somewhat prepared for this response, Bourkos couldn't help but look overjoyed. His face lit up, and he clasped his hands together as if giving thanks to the gods.
"Don't get too excited just yet!" Juleios added, his tone measured. "This is just my personal opinion. I still need to persuade the officers and soldiers under my command. Many of them, after more than a year of campaigning in Persia, are tired of war and eager to return home."
"Two daric gold coins per soldier per month!" Bourkos offered decisively, his voice almost trembling with urgency.
Juleios tilted his head, appearing to calculate. He finally asked, "How many men do you need?"
"Of course, the more, the better!" Bourkos blurted out without hesitation, his desperation overriding any sense of restraint.
