...
Fortunately, Edmund was a man who had seen his share of storms.
After a moment of astonishment, he didn't lash out. He simply sighed softly and said, "Battalion Commander Lynch, do you know how many years it's been since someone shot me down so publicly?"
He paused, leaning forward slightly. His blue eyes locked onto Lynch's as his tone grew serious. "Give me a reason."
Lynch set down his teacup, looking perfectly composed. "The reason is simple. There's an old saying from my hometown: 'Land the first punch to avoid a hundred more.'"
"Land the first punch to avoid a hundred more..."
Edmund's brow twitched. He mulled the phrase over, and a light gradually kindled in his eyes. "Excellent," he praised. "What an excellent phrase! 'Land the first punch to avoid a hundred more.' It's succinct, yet it cuts right to the heart of the matter! The person who coined such a saying must have been someone of great wisdom, who weathered countless storms."
