Francisco hesitated before speaking again, his fingers tightening around the edge of the crate beside him.
"Is there a problem with the viceroy's army?" he asked carefully. "Why are they taking so long to move? Even if corruption runs deep, they've lost full control of Antioquia. They should be doing everything in their power to reclaim it—if only to avoid punishment from the Spanish court. Or at least to make that punishment lighter."
Stewart turned toward him, one corner of his mouth lifting in a cold, humorless sneer.
"In Antioquia," he said, "the greatest losses weren't caused by Jesuits or fanatics—but by traitors. The viceroy knows it. If he sends his army now, he fears more officers will defect, and that fear is well-founded."
Francisco's brow furrowed.
