Bound for Eramni

"I am bound for Eramni, the nearest city-state," he responded smoothly. "I have a transaction there to carry out."

"What sort of transaction?"

"It's entirely on the level, of course. I am a consummately reputable businessman."

"What sort of transaction," Astra asked again, more firmly.

"If you must know, I am head of the Global Information Syndicate of Daelin. News of all sorts is my business, and I have heard some very interesting information from a credible source in Eramni which I have decided to investigate more fully, in person. I'm sorry I wasn't forthcoming with you, but we have a bad reputation here--clearly, you're not from here, or you would probably recognize me. People think of us, and me especially, as malicious rumor-mongers."

"I'm curious, what kind of information is it?"

"A very interesting kind. If it weren't for the fact that my source is highly credible--I'd trust him with my life, and I'd not say that of many people--I'd assume it was mere rumors, of the sort that is always being fabricated by the Petran Syndicate. Like that bizarre story which is floating around this area about the mysteriously beautiful fortune- teller who prevented an accident and disappeared into nothingness. You've heard it, haven't you?"

Astra frowned slightly, then resumed a neutral expression, hoping he hadn't noticed. Why was he getting at this? "I try not to listen to such rumors, but yes, I have heard of it. Why?"

"You look a little like the woman in the story, you know, and clearly you're foreign. I've heard that Petran is going to try to fish up someone they can claim to be this woman to furthur their hoax. His men are everywhere, you know. I'd be careful of them if I were you, especially as he has an appetite for remarkably beautiful women such as you. I, of course, have only the utmost respect for women. Where do you hail from, anyway?"

"South of here," she answered evasively.

"You do look like a Stormgardian, now that I think of it. Although red hair isn't very common there. It gives you a unique and vital beauty, if I do say so myself. Well, not everyone up here is like you honorable Stormgardians, you'd best stay wiht someone you can trust, like me."

Astra suddenly realized that he had completely evaded her original question. "Perhaps I would be better off going to Eramni with you. What is it that you're looking for there, anyway?"

"Well," he said, with an air of confidentiality, "I've heard something rather remarkable. My source tells me that an Eramnian archaeologist has found the underground remains of Ilios, and that a party is setting out from Eramni to explore them. That's why I set out, in person, to investigate this before my competitors do, because I, unlike them, intend to report only the truth to the people of the Three Kingdoms."

Well. This was interesting. "I'm curious, Mr..."

"Turik Dezyan an Kerl. I'm delighted to meet you, by the way. And you are?"

"Alleyne Zara," she said. "Anyway, it seems to me that if I chose to travel with you, there would be a great deal of advantage for me but none whatsoever for you. Now you seem like a sensible man, Mr. Dezyan. What advantage do you hope to gain?"

"Only the satisfaction of having done a good deed, and the pleasure of your charming company. What do you say to it?"

1. "Yes."
2. "No thank you."

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