Lutra Shizzal

"I'm Lutra Shizzal, Nutria, here to ask you a few questions, do you have a moment?"

"Sure, foreigner..." The sting in her voice hurt.

"I'm Prasad-born, for your information. Not all followers, nor indeed, descendants of Atiyui are foreigners."

"Atiyui?"

"God of aquatic mammalian predators. I'm descended from their child, Hanakotaro, the flower captain, whose purview is the dreaming sea."

"I'm sure it means something, but it has nothing to do with me. What leads you here, well-armed stranger?"

"I've been tasked with asking about your stock, slave-seller, I'm making a few purchases for my patron."

"Now, that language I understand, five talents of jade, for five slaves is my usual rate..."

"A liar as well? I've checked the market prices before I came, feathermerchant... I'm ready to offer three silver talents, for six, but I need to inspect and interview them, first."

"Interview them? But they're slaves!"

"My patron wants some who know how to read and write and count to a decent amount, or am I to supposed to trust that you've written that on the right slaves, and not changed the labels around?"

"Peace, peace, Shizzal. We've clearly gotten off on the wrong... paw?" She offered her hand, cordially, like to a fellow mercenary, this time.

"Do not misunderstand me, your kind who sell your kin to others disgust me. But I need your cooperation to discharge the trust my patron has put in me, so I will swallow my distaste, and swim in the same river as you, Fleshmerchant."

"An idealist? I'd not sell these wares if I knew where to get any better..."

"If you're smart, you can get any kind of work in Kamthahar, tis said. Perhaps you're smart enough to do better, some day." Her voice was wry, challenging, but not disdainful, and Nutria didn't even try to hide her smile.

"If you buy all my stock, I'm a free agent, Shizzal, so perhaps it is in your paws..."

"My patron has the coin, for sure, but perhaps not the desire, so I will ask."