Free Thread Slivers (Golden Threads Trilogy) by Leeland Artra Page A

his back to the wall with only the kitchen door a serious approach threat. Always got your back covered, don’t you. She smiled as winningly as she could, causing him to frown and cross his arms.
    His tone was a little tired, like a scolding father, “Ya knows d’rules.”
    Taking another bite of the breakfast, she kept smiling and chewed for a moment before answering, just to try and draw him in a little more. “Mm, been meaning to chat with you about them, I think some things need to change.”
    Genne’s face actually scrunched to that as if the mere thought of a change to the Blue Dolphin’s rules caused him physical pain. Hairy was nudging his companion and indicating her direction in anticipation of the show. Genne’s voice changed to lower than normal, still calm and somehow very scary as he answered, “D’rules aint chang’n, m’lass.”
    Bait, loop, and trap all in one shot. Keeping her winning smile she unlocked the pouch at her belt and reached in for the crowns. Except instead of feeling the four coins she expected, there was a couple of small cloth bags and other items she couldn’t identify by touch. She heard her trainer’s voice in the back of her head saying, ‘ Never let them see you flinch.’ Looking back at Genne she saw she must have reacted somehow for him to pick up on as he began to frown even deeper. Now Hairy and Frumpy were smiling themselves, seeing Genne’s obvious growing annoyance.
    She tried not to sweat or look confused. One of the small bags was obviously a coin purse, and felt heavy with coins. Oh Lady, what has happened to me? Please be enough. She brought the coin purse out and opened it. Trying to act casually as if nothing was wrong she looked down and her heart skipped a beat or two. Shining back were more than fifty crosses, as well as some cheras, bells, pence, rings, and even three crowns. One slightly worn crown was sitting boldly on top like it was the king of the bag, which it was. Lady, thank you.
    In the back of her head her trainer’s voice continued on. ‘ Always go for the greatest impact .’ Reaching into the purse and grabbing a crown and twenty crosses, she continued. “I meant,” with deliberate motions putting the coins on the table, crosses first, punctuating her words, “changing our arrangement and my room.”
    Genne’s eyes took in the purse and she was sure he could somehow sense the precise value of its contents. He then leaned forward and just as deliberately took the crown. He examined it, tasting first and then checking the heft against his years of experience handling such coins. “Well, d’night was good for you.” Looking down, she saw that all the coins had vanished. “Der is a few Dagg’r rooms open.”
    “Yes, well I want a small one, preferably not too close to the stairs or baths.”
    “I’v jus d’one.” Patting his pouch, which his hands had not gone close to prior, “Dis will give ya three cycles if’n ya don’wan food, two if’n ya wants all meals with’n hyly, arit, an yer milk.”
    Doing some unexpected counting in her head she considered it. She knew it would likely be reasonable for the Dolphin because Genne never inflated or cheated. Knowing it wasn’t a bad deal made her pause. That is higher than I expected. I know the Dolphin is one of the best Inns in the city and also one of the most costly to stay at. At twelve — no, thirteen — crosses a cycle for the room and another seven for food I know I’ll be eating full hot meals as I please. But if I get some good work soon I’ll be able to maintain that rate. If I up my fee from a chera a day to a cross a day or six crosses for a week I would be just under the rate of some of the best in this room. I certainly have enough here to give me plenty of time to prove I can. Looking at Genne, she saw he had a slight smile in his eyes. He’s scheming and I’m obviously on course. I need to be sure the stable fees are in this too. “Twenty-one crosses a cycle