Page 77 (1/2)

"Splendid"

Rue leaned back out of the circle and gestured with one arauise of soe of cheese or what have you "Run to Primrose, please, Spoo Have her release two--"

"Four," interrupted Floote

"Four bottles of port fro thelasses Cook likes so much The footman, mind you, not Primrose herself"

"Consider it done, Lady Captain"

"Thank you, Spoo"

"Lady Captain?"

"Yes, Spoo?"

"Please don’t say or do anything exciting until I get back?"

"I have a feeling nothing untoill occur until the port arrives Now hurry along"

Spoo dashed below

Ay leaned forward Anitra translated for her "You wish to open negotiations?"

"I do"

"You need to know exactly what you’re asking for Request more initially Then back down Saves face for everyone" Floote seeh this murky situation It was the ether

Rue could only be grateful

They waited for the port

It arrived, along with Spoo, the footlasses Ay seemed disappointed it wasn’t Primrose but cheered considerably when the port was passed around More bottles were placed in the centre of the circle where anyone could reach thehted sht Rue "I should like to continue our escort for the next week, into the deep desert, plus escort for the four decoy dirigibles going in opposite directions"

"A large request You take us away frorounds, si hunted yourself"

"Those with the decoysor trade It is only those who accompany me who are required to stick to a specific path"

"That does lessen the inconvenience What will you give to the decoys, and what to your own personal escort, all of whom undertake a certain aht Rue What will I give? What do I have to trade that these ht want?

"I offer contacts with a new trade concern in Cairo A lucrative tea import business that will need middlemen"