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An Offer Denied [18 May 1211]

Filed under Tar's Company Storyline » 11 Taking the Amulet Trail by Steve | | Bottom

Yalinari leads the group out of the magistrate’s office and asks the interpreter where the town market is located. He answers that it is right down the street and sure enough they find the market quickly. The interpreter, a man by the name of Radoslaw, tells them that the Sinde Dawk Trading Company is the best one in town. Besides, he likes the recorder-a cute woman by the name of Dominika. Yalinari likes the sound of that and they head down a side street, make a right and then a left. The Sinde Dawk Trading House is right in front of them. The group head into the trading house and is greeted by a short, dark woman—a Bakluni if Yalinari has ever seen one. Not the best looking woman he’s seen, but still a Bakluni.

He finds that her name is Catarina, and she tells them to wait and Konrad will be ready soon. After about five minutes Konrad comes out and gets the order from Catarina. He writes down the list of goods, makes some notes, and then states a rate. Shasivin responds with a much lower price and the two of them start to haggle, with Radoslaw translating.

As they are doing this, Catarina whispers to Yalinari:

Sastipie (Good luck and good health), May the gods of horses look bright upon your mount. It has not always been so with the Chula vista. I have need of talking to you while our in trading.

Yalinari:

What can I do for you, Catarina?

She walks him toward the door and Drathon gives him a warning look. Yalinari winks at Drathon and hooks a finger in his direction, then turns to follow Catarina.

Catarina:

Friend, we in the clan have a problem that you, of similar background may understand. We have one who is unfortunate and must
leave the town. There are some that wish this not to happen. I am hoping that you will be willing to help.

Drathon slowly steps toward Yalinari, hand on the pommel of his sword.

Yalinari:

Tell me more, but before you go too far, I must warn you. I am marime. I should not even be talking with you.

Catarina (looking shocked):

The gods certainly do spit on our clan’s feet. He is doomed, then. There is no hope, then, is there?

Yalinari:

Catarina, if you offer me something for his freedom, this becomes a business conversation, and therefore not outlawed by the rules of marime.

Catarina (looking doubly shocked):

How can I? How can I do that? I cannot. He may, though. Where will you be? Where can we talk to you?

Yalinari:

We are staying out of town. I’m sure you have ways out that the guards to not know about. I can arrange for us to remain for a
night. Tonight. Have your people meet us east of town. After dark. You’ll have no trouble finding us, I dare say.

Catarina:

Did you not hear me? We need a way out of town for him. If we had a way, we wouldn’t need you! (her voice starts to raise)

Yalinari:

Calmly, Catarina, calmly. You don’t want to attract undue attention. ... Now, when you said out of town, I assumed you could get
out, but not away. Not able to get out is different. More serious. ... You need to tell me more of him. As much as you can in a short time.

Catarina:

What is it you wish to know?

Yalinari:

His situation. Why does he need to get away? Who does he need to get away from? Why can he not leave?

Catarina:

We have no passes to leave. They have cancelled them all.

Yalinari:

Why?

Catarina:

Why? We’re Bakluni, that’s why! What other reason do gadje need to limit our movements! Hasn’t it always been that way.

Yalinari:

You’re being evasive, Catarina. Why must this one particular man – that was your word “must” – leave?

Catarina (indignant now):

Evasive? I am not. You asked me why we can’t leave town and I told you! We can’t leave town because they won’t let
us leave town.

Yalinari:

Catarina, I am marime. I am not accepted by my own people. I am forbidden the council fires and fellowship. I am prevented from
seeing and talking to those I have lived my life with. Now you come and ask me to put myself at risk for one I do not know. Who would deny me the right of five minutes conversation were our roles reversed, and you will not even tell me why he needs to leave. Give me one reason why I should help him. Why I should help you. If you cannot, then this conversation, which is in all ways forbidden by the Kris of the East, will have to end.

Catarina:

Well, you didn’t ask me why he needs to leave! You asked my why he couldn’t leave! They’re two different things! He has to leave
town because the police are looking for him.

Yalinari:

I’ve asked several times now. The police are looking for him? That’s standard for any Bakluni. The police are looking for us
all at one time or another. If not for something we’ve done, then for something they assume we’ve done or something someone has told them we’ve done. ... It seems I cannot help you. I cannot take this half-story back to my companions and ask themselves to put us all at risk because your friend is sought by the police.

Catarina:

I see now why you are marime. You have turned your back on your people. (she spits at his feet and turns away from him)

Yalinari: I turned my back on them? Not until they turned their backs on me. Good life, Catarina.

She doesn’t turn around, but instead spits on the floor and stomps out. It isn’t too long after Catarina storms out that Shasivin returns. He tells Yalinari that he wasn’t able to get the best deal he’s ever gotten, but the goods will be ready today around 5 bells. He then asks what is up with the wench?

Yalinari:

Shshshe is nnnno wwwwench. Shshshshe is a BBBBakluni wwwwoman, and shshshshe is in ttttrouble. Bbbbut I ccccannot hhhhelp.
Nnnnot ththththis ttttime.

Shasivin shrugs and mutters:

Seemed like a witch anyway.

Yalinari turns on Shasivin:

Yyyyou wwwwill kkkkeep ththththat opinioin tttto yyyourself, if yyyou pppplease.

Shasivin lifts up two hands as if to ward off Yalinari:

Wow! Ok. Have it your way!

Dreune:

So lets get some horses and get the heck outa here. I’ve
been scared by staying in towns with you people.

The small group returns to the Company camp and Yalinari informs Tar of the new schedule. He’s not too happy about staying the night as they will lose a day of travel. Sighing however, he tells Firena to set camp—they’ll be staying the night.

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