"This is a bad idea," Benjamin said.

Norch said nothing. 

"It will be fine," gNat reassured them from her perch atop the wire frame looped once again over Benjamin's ear. The device magnified her voice as it had magnified her image. 

Benjamin finished tying the rope around a birch tree and ruffled Kei Ta's fur. 

"Be a good girl," he whispered to her. 

Norch stood well away and waited for Benjamin to join him before saying, "Our options are limited."

"I know," Benjamin said, "but I still don't like it."

Fleck squatted at the edge of the copse of trees, absentmindedly scratching an arm.

"You ready?" Norch asked, squatting down beside him.

"I always ready," Fleck answered.

Benjamin snorted and Fleck's beady eyes narrowed at him.

"You have problem, squishy man?" Fleck demanded.

Norch held up a hand to forestall an argument. The two of them found too much to disagree on. 

"Let's just get this done," Norch suggested. 

Benjamin frowned but said nothing. Kei Ta made a choked wheezing sound as she pulled on the rope, trying to reach them. Norch stood up. Benjamin and Fleck followed suit. Together, the three of them marched across the clearing, towards another copse of trees. It was dark, and Norch could just make out the flicker of firelight from within. Somewhere to his left a shadow shifted, and a spear prodded his chest. The feel of cold metal on the back of his neck told him another was behind him. Norch stood still, arms kept carefully at his sides.

"We've come to negotiate," he said.

"Negotiate what?" a rough, garbled voice asked from the night.

The spear point pressed harder into his skin.

Norch kept from swallowing. 

"An exchange of merchandise," Norch said. "We lost something in our travels, and we wish to buy it back."

It was this point Benjamin disagreed on. He felt they should confront the Rohn and take back the Fairstash and the Jemily. Offering to pay disgusted him.

"We're not slavers," he had growled.

Fleck, on the other hand, understood the Rohn's position possibly too well. He believed possession was ownership. Benjamin argued that neither Nae Xali nor the Jemily were objects, but the finer details were lost on the Bahss. It was gNat who had pointed out that the only perspective that mattered was the Rohn's, and whether they agreed or disagreed, the Rohn both out-numbered and out-matched the three of them. That left negotiation. 

There was hasty conversation amongst the Rohn that Norch couldn't make out, but the spear pressed against his chest lowered. A jab in the back of his neck guiding him into the camp reminded him he wasn't clear yet. The Rohn were seated around the fire. Short and ugly, they reminded Norch of fish with their purple-black rubbery skin and what looked like gills on the sides of their blobby heads. One thin stalk extended up from each of their heads and curved down to dangle what looked like a small glowing jewel in front of their faces. Each Rohn glittered with multiple pieces of jewelry. Rings and necklaces made of gold and silver, bracelets made of coloured glass and copper. gNat had explained they wore their stolen baubles as symbols of status, the most be-gemmed often being the most esteemed. The effect was gaudy. Conversation stopped when their party approached, and one of the Rohn with Norch hurried forward to whisper in the ear of a fat Rohn with so many necklaces they covered half his ponderous chest. When he finished speaking , the smaller Rohn retreated and the fat one sat examining Norch and his companions. He lifted a heavily ringed hand and rubbed his lower lip with a thick finger.

"You wish to make a purchase?" he growled at them. 

When the wide fleshy mouth parted to speak, it revealed a row of sharp pointy teeth. Doubts formed in Norch's mind. He steeled himself. 

"We wish to purchase the two creatures you acquired last night," he said, "the Fairstash and the other one."

The fat Rohn sat thumbing his lip a moment longer.

"What would you offer?" he asked finally, lowering his hands.

"We have many things," Norch said, waving Fleck and Benjamin forward. 

Norch reached into one Benjamin's sacks. 

"We have this Bad-darie," he said, holding up a slim black box. "Perfect for charging things." 

He passed it to the Rohn, who examined it for several seconds, flipping it over in his hands.
"Charging what?" 

Norch glanced at Benjamin. He was still a little unsure of the details himself. 

"The, uh, self-owned," he continued with as much confidence as he could fake. 

"You mean free men?" a small Rohn with only one ring asked.

"Yes. Free men," Norch agreed hurriedly. "Just throw that at them while you're running and it will slow them right down." 

"There are rocks for that," the fat Rohn said. 

"These are black though," Norch insisted, "the colour and shape makes it very hard to see at night." 

The fat Rohn thought for a moment. 

"How many do you have?" he asked.

"Three," Norch answered, "and two little ones you could put in a sling."

His fat neck wobbled as he nodded. "What else?" 

Norch reached into the bag.

"Socks, for keeping your feet warm. No? How about a small scarf?" Norch asked.

"Tie," Benjamin muttered from the side of his mouth. 

"Tie," Norch corrected, "to decorate your neck."

The Rohn ran the fine material through his fingers.  "How many?"

"Eight," Norch replied.

Benjamin winced. He hadn't wanted to part with so many.

"Oh. And these," Norch said.

He thrust a fistful of metal into the Rohn's hands. Cufflinks, Benjamin had called them.
The Rohn held them up, so the light flickered off coloured glass set in the metal. There was an appreciative murmur from the crowd surrounding them. The fat Rohn closed his fist around the links.

"Yes," he said, "these. The ties, and the-- baddair, and one more thing, I think."

A guttural wheezing noise filled the air. It took Norch a minute to realize it was laughter. Apprehension filled him.

"What?" he asked.

"A song and dance," came the reply.

"A song and dance?" he said. "You're not serious."

The fat Rohn stopped laughing and the rest of them, faltering, halted with him. 

"I never joke about a bargain," he said.

Norch glanced at Benjamin, who shrugged. 

"Well I guess--" Benjamin started, but Fleck shoved him aside and thrust his chest out with pride.

"I," he said, "do the song and dance."

***

Later, when it was all over, Norch thought he might have preferred a nice brawl over Fleck's performance. 

"Who would have thought he had so much zest and vigor?" Benjamin said. "The way he hit those high notes, and those fan kicks!" 

"Please," Norch said, rubbing his head, "I'm trying to forget."

Around their own fire, Nae Xali played tug-a-rope with Kei Ta, the little Fairstash giggling as she got tossed, fluttering into the air. The Jemily, deep in conversation with gNat, was attempting to mend Norch's ragged sock with purple thread. Neither the Jemily nor the Fairstash appeared much the worse for wear from their ordeal. 

"Speak of the devil," Benjamin said as Fleck approached.

"I come say Goodbye," Fleck said. "I help. Now I go."

"Yes," Norch said, then stuck his hand out, "yes you did, Fleck. We were very grateful for your help."

The Bahss shook Norch's hand with great enthusiasm, nearly crushing all the bones. Fleck turned to Benjamin.

"You still no like?" Fleck asked.

"You know, I think you've grown on me," Benjamin said. "Especially after you helped save my wife."

Fleck shook his head, "Weird thing to take as mate, but I no judge."

He smiled then, a wide smile. "Maybe I sing at next wedding if this one find mate."

He thumped Norch hard in the chest.

"Yes." Norch said, winded. "I'll keep you in mind."

Fleck grinned wider, then turned and strode away.