Emperor

“You had to bribe him,” Jane asked, “just to answer a question?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, that label is a little harsh,” said Marcia. “Call it a tip.”

Steve said nothing, afraid he would start Marcia on another boring lecture. Instead, he walked faster, looking into the shadows ahead for the Prosperity I

Soon a large, single-story building came into view with a long, vertical sign ru

“Which one of us should make the arrangements?” Hunter asked Marcia.

“Steve,” said Marcia. “You and Jane are masquerading as foreigners, and in this society-and as Steve’s wife-I would not take that kind of initiative while he’s here. But we’ll all go in together.”

“Okay,” said Steve. He led them inside.

Small flames burned in brass oil lamps resting on wooden tables, lighting the room. A portly man with gray hair hurried forward to greet them. He wore a light blue robe similar to Steve’s.

“Welcome, friends. Welcome.” He bowed at the waist.

Remembering Marcia’s briefing on the subject earlier, Steve imitated the man’s bow.

“You are together? Two families?” The i

“Yes,” said Steve. “My wife and I are hosting two guests from another country. I am a scholar seeking an appointment.”

“Ah!” The i

Steve glanced back at Hunter, who nodded.

“How much?”

“One silver per night.”

Steve had no idea if that was a fair price or not, but he suspected the i

“Too high,” Steve said firmly to the i

“Two-coppers?” The i

Now Steve knew where he stood. “Two coppers,” he said confidently.

“Hm, well, maybe five. This is an entire private bungalow, you know.”

“Two.”

The i

“Two.”

“No. Four.”

Steve turned and walked back toward the door, gri

“Fine, fine. Two coppers a night for my special guests,” the i

Steve stopped and looked back. The i

“Two coppers,” the i

“Fine,” Steve echoed. “We will stay.”

The i

Steve glanced around inside. It was clean and nicely furnished. The tables and chairs were made of plain but highly polished wood, intricately carved in patterns with tight curls. The i

“It is adequate.” Steve tried to sound unenthusiastic, to maintain his bargaining position in the future.

Hunter paid the i

The i