I narrowed my eyes at the merchant, while nodding toward the crates stacked on the floor beside him. “And what is so appealing about thisjunversyrup that you collect from the villagers in lieu of galactic credits?”
“Well, now you’re asking questions that might cost a little something.” He rubbed a thick, three-fingered hand over his chin. “I might part with that answer for fifty galactic credits.”
I tapped the band on my wrist, having expected something like this. “Done.”
The Durbok smiled wider. “You’re already a fine customer.Junversyrup is a healing agent for the Purtho species. You may not have heard of them. They are from the Hemruk system, over toward the center of the quadrant.”
“I’ve heard of them,” I said testily. “What else does it do?”
“Well, for the Tutonas—whose species is struggling on Midrose Prime—it is an effective fertility treatment. It takes very little, and it has shown promise in stabilizing their numbers.”
“That’s it?”
The Durbok blinked his watery eyes. “I am a simple merchant. Do you think I would be so unwise as to get myself embroiled in the trade of substances that did more than healing and utility?” He shook his head, sending his jowls wobbling. “No, friend. The Durbok has not lived this long by being greedyand delving too deeply into the dark corners of the trade business.”
“Keep it that way,” I said, leaning forward. “Don’t get greedy with thejunversyrup. Don’t push these people to produce more than they can.”
The Durbok raised his hands, palms out. “My friend, I would never. Keeping the supply tight is better for business. Scarcity drives value. If the villagers flooded me with the stuff, I’d have to lower my prices. As it stands, I make a tidy profit on modest quantities. It is in my interest for things to stay exactly as they are.”
I snorted out a laugh, but his logic was sound. “Very well, Greblin. I’d not see them harmed.”
“We are in accord on that,” the Durbok said, silk in his voice. “So I’ll tell you one other thing, for the price you paid. I use this location, in part, to keep the village hidden. In case I’m ever tracked.”
“Are you worried about being tracked?”
“No. But here’s the last answer I will give you, so we can move on to more pleasant business: Do I know every single effect thatjunversyrup can have on every single species? I do not. There may be one out there for which this substance does more than cure disease and produce offspring.” He shrugged. “So, for that reason, I take precautions.”
I leaned in, holding eye contact. “See that you continue to do so.”
He nodded, and I could see some of the tension ease from his features. Probably a calculated show, but I didn’t care. I knew what I needed to know for now.
“Since I value my throat intact, I shall,” he said. “Now—I hear that you need a gift for the Runams’ lovely leader.” He winked, and I resisted the urge to grimace.
“She invited me to their village founding festival,” I muttered. “I was informed it is good manners to bring a gift. Also, here are some other items I require.”
I gave him my list. The Durbok studied my list and seemed to mull it over. “I have much of what you want, but not displayed here,” he said. “My cargo bay is where I keep the products you are looking for. The villagers would not know what to do with half of it, so I tailor my shop to my customers’ needs. Would you like to see the rest of my stock?”
“Yes,” I replied. “Very much so.”
We spent a considerable amount of time in his cargo hold, which was vast, but well organized. The Durbok found me everything I came for, including a nice wardrobe of clothing that would fit, a power convertor to replace one that had been acting up, several small solar arrays, a selection of fishing line I hadn’t tried before, and a few things I allowed myself to be talked into.
By the time I left, it was well past the time the Durbok would have normally closed up shop and I had spent a significant sum of credits. I’d managed to haggle him down on some things and noted that what he charged me was higher than what he charged the villagers with their store credit. That actually reassured me. He was maintaining a stable trade relationship with them, which was the sign of a decent merchant.
As I stacked my containers by the exit, I knew I’d be taking multiple trips. The Durbok smirked as he watched. “Next time, park your shuttle a little closer so you don’t have to carry things so far. We’re not as young as we used to be.”
I grinned, showing all my teeth. “Perhaps not. But walking keeps us from getting soft, eh, friend?”
“Indeed. You’ll want to keep up with your new Runam friends.” The merchant glanced at his handheld inventory device. “Check your comm for the invoice. You’ll find the prices to be what we negotiated.”
I glanced at my wrist device and scrolled through the itemized bill. He was correct. All was in order. I nodded. “How about I add two hundred galactic credits to this, and if you learn of a threat to the Runam village, you let me know.” My gaze locked on his. What I was offering was less of a choice and more of a threat, and both of us knew it. But still, I was civilized. I could afford to pay for this particular service, and the Durbok was enough of a businessman to recognize an easy deal.
“If I hear of a threat to the village, I will alert you,” he said carefully. “Andyouwill have learned it from somewhere else.”
I nodded. “Certainly. My own surveillance, perhaps.”
“Indeed.” He flashed his teeth again, sending a threat right back to me. “The Durbok is not involved. However, I suspect there will be no threats. This is easy money for me and I have nothing to gain by drawing attention to this little corner of the quadrant.”
I inclined my head, pleased with the deal. “Good.”
