CHAPTER 9
Two hours later, Leontios and Violet stepped out of the hotel. Azaan already stood on the front stoop, his back to the river that fronted the hotel, regarding them with an idle posture that belied his intense gaze.
Violet studied him, trying to understand what he thought he was seeing. A couple of tourists planning something foolish and ill-advised, no doubt. He’s probably wondering how much money he can get from us before we wander off to our doom. “Where do we begin?”
“That depends,” Azaan replied. “What do you want to purchase?”
Violet pondered briefly. “Clothing suitable to rough going. This dress isn’t doing me any favors. A lantern. Food that won’t spoil in the heat over several days. Containers for water.”
“I will also need a means of carrying goods,” Leontios added.
