Page 26 of The Warrior's Oath
“I couldn’t. This is too much.”
“No, friend, I wish for you to accept this,” Korvin gently countered. “Your help is more appreciated than you know. And the Pahvlin and Nimenni have a long history, so please, accept this with my deepest gratitude.”
The Pahvlin, though flustered, nodded once, quickly pocketing the small item. “You are a good man, my Nimenni friend. May fortune smile upon you all of your days.”
“And upon you all of your nights,” he replied. Korvin turned to Nyota. “Come, we disembark here.”
He hopped gracefully to the ground, landing silently, his powerful legs absorbing his weight with ease. Nyota climbed over the side and slid into his waiting arms, the heat of which was almost as distracting as the sensation of her nipples grazing across his chest as he lowered her to the ground.
“Now what?” she asked, suppressing the warm tingle twitching in her belly.
“Now we exchange our salvage for currency.”
“Will that be a problem?”
“This world is part of the Dotharian Conglomerate. All use the same currency.”
“Must make travel easier. No getting screwed with the exchange rate.”
“Exchange rate?”
“When you—oh, nevermind.”
He shrugged and led the way, following the main roadway heading toward the smaller trade posts where he would get the best value for their wares. He walked with poise and confidence, his muscled body’s outline clearly visible as he moved within the confines of his clothing. Nyota couldn’t help but marvel at his amazing physique. She also couldn’t help but notice that despite the hunk of a male in their midst, the women of this city were ignoring him. Wearing ratty clothing and dirty from their trek, it seemed they found him unworthy of their attention.
Nyota found herself oddly relieved.
Korvin veered off the main roadway onto a smaller side street, heading straight for an illuminated storefront.
“Are you sure about this?” she asked, eyeing the burly men gathered outside a nearby tavern.
“Yes. The sigil in the corner of the window, do you see it? This establishment is part of the Orvin guild. They would not risk losing their affiliation. We will receive a fair-trade amount here,” he said, opening the door, letting out a warm gust of fragrant air. “Please, after you.”
“Thank you.”
He shut the door behind them and proceeded to the small creature sitting behind a small table. It was deep brown and hairless, its skin wrinkled even where there were no joints. From its elongated, thin torso protruded six spindly arms with equally delicate looking hands. Nyota thought it seemed totally vulnerable like that, especially for one handling large currency transactions, but the faintest of glow from the ceiling above made her almost certain there were security systems in place. They were just unlike any she’d ever seen.
“Greetings, quaestor,” Korvin said. “May I place my wares upon the table?
“You may,” the creature replied.
Korvin put the bag down and stepped back. Sure enough, the light from above shifted, drawing across the bag slowly before coming to a stop with the goods now on the other side of the light. A scanner of some sort, clearly, as well as a likely barrier or alarm.
The alien opened the bag and went to work, all six arms quickly sorting the items into a multitude of piles. It then clacked its fingers on a rippling device to its side, a fluid-like calculator or abacus of some sort.
It turned the display to face the potential customer. “This much.”
Korvin nodded. “A fair price.”
“More than fair. You bring valuable trade. Unusual, as well. Many items the average scavenger would overlook.”
“I have a good eye.”
The quaestor gave him a curious look. “Apparently. Might I inquire where you obtained this?”
“You may, but you will not find a reply forthcoming.”
The alien chuckled. “Very well. Hard currency or credits?”
