"Ten-thousand Hyumann-dolloh, in coin."
Asher twitched in something close to shock. That, plus her landing-pay, would clear the debt with Tigo and leave a little over. I'll be free!
She noticed that the Guide was rippling again.
Asher made herself calm down and think, remember that Kowtiki lapped up emotions, remember that they were also clever merchants, remember that they could lie as outrageously as any Human. It was remarkably convenient that one of them had come up with damn-near exactly the money she needed, at just the right time, at just the right place. Think! "That's...a lot of money for such a small package," she said, trying to raise up a feeling of nervousness, worry, to keep the Guide preoccupied. "What will I be carrying?"
The Guide rippled again, then sat up. All but th
