What Ch'loi wants

            “What is it you desire?” Kurga asked.

            “Pardon?” Ch’loi blinked.

            “Did I startle you?  I’m sorry, milady, I didn’t know how deep in your own thoughts you were.  But we are nearly to the Last Caravanserai and I only wish to know…what now?”

            “A topic I’m rather interested in myself,” Captain Rayjay said. 

            “As am I,” Amisbhake added.

            “You?” Kurga exclaimed, “I thought you were her counselor?”

            “I cannot counsel where my counsel is not asked for.”

            “Tell that to my mother.  Well then, it would seem we are all in the same boat.”

            “Did you really mean to say that?”

            “Say what?”

            “Never mind.”  Amisbhake turned to the small girl staring at the deck of the skiff.  “Child, the time has come.”

            She looked at him then turned to Kurga, “One would like to purchase slaves.”

            “Ah,” he smiled, “I see.  I could have guessed.  And what kind of slaves should I buy for you, children I suppose?”

            She slashed the air with one hand.  “Age is irrelevant.”

            “Oh.  Uh.   Well then, um, do you prefer males or females or..?”

            “Also unimportant.”

            “Well then…ah… could you give me something to go on?  What qualities are important?”

            She focused on the deck again and was silent a long time before she spoke.  When at last she looked at him, he shivered, “One only needs them to be dying.  Preferably of fever.”