The problems one faces when going “by the book”...

Sikozu

“What?” I find myself asking stupidly, blinking. “I . . .don’t understand.”

“That’s my line,” Lilith mutters softly to herself.

Oh right, she and my sister had been in the wont of saying that from time to time when something of the ordinary, normal human realm boggled them.

I sure am right now, though.

I don’t understand. The females over there have markings of their Tribe on their foreheads, right? Granted, the Space Guild data cards I recall about this world was a bit sparse in the sociological data, but it had been pretty clear about certain things. One being that there was NO slavery upon it!

AND from prior encounters from various other world’s elves a pattern had emerged in MY mind that said that as varied as some elfin societies could be from world to world (increasing recently in number as they “pop” into existence hither and yon)..

They value freedom in themselves and OTHERS of their kind VERY dearly!

Damnit, I can’t be everywhere to learn things first hand! I know (NOW) that book learning isn’t always as nearly good as “hands on” experience. Some of the mistakes got written down in the data scrolls I used to become a Leviathan “expert” had been most . . .embarrassing (and “my” Crichton most annoying as he laughed at me for it).

This is an entirely different thing, though. If such a basic fact had been overlooked, I and my group who’d been searching (with only moderate success) for those ingredients to cure Zhaan of her malady had been in even MORE danger than what that foolish human’s mouth got us into there. Now I am doubly glad I managed to talk our way out of trouble!

Slaver....oh gods.

Some of those merchants could have been slavers and we could have (after sufficient magical “readjustments”) become their wares.

....

Well, even IF Rei and her sisters are lying to me here or just misinformed this would be enough to NOT (maybe) lose my Guild merchant license if I should add Rei’s new friends as passengers. Hm, actually I think I just BETTER follow through with this because as a Merchant I’m rather duty bound to report this possible breach of trade treaty here the local authorities might have initiated with the Guild!

And I state as much to Rei and her sisters, pulling out a recording device for playback at any legal inquiries in the future. Annoying, but better safe than sorry because . . .I am rather attached to being financially solvent and employed, thanks!

“Reika, could you do me the favor and explain this to her?” the blue haired image mutters, gesturing at me. “I . . .got to sleep . . .and dream here.”

And without even waiting for an answer from Reika (who herself looks a bit worn from her efforts to magically save Zhaan here), she fades from view.

Taking up the thread of conversation without missing a beat does just that, and what a tale she tells indeed!

Throughout their shopping Reika and her sisters had learned of the elven women’s tale of woe and through Reika we learn of it now and here.

1. “So....before now these two chicks were big honking female giants?” Crichton sputters, looking at Gilda and Hilda wide eyed in shock. “And even before that one of them wasa frelling GUY?!”

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