Mistake scowled as the merchant stiffened and stared at Rejji. “Do not be a fool boy,” he warned. “The Jiadin are not a tribe to be toyed with. They will cut you up in little pieces and feed you to their dogs. Travel with the girl if you will, but never even think of revenge for your village. There are forces that you have no knowledge of and those forces are stronger than anything you can ever imagine.”

Silence fell over the encampment as Mistake passed out pieces of meat and small slabs of stale bread. The trio ate in silence with the exception of Brontos who occasionally nodded and smiled as he ate. When the meal was over, Brontos picked up his pipe and relit it.

“Where did you learn about spices?” he asked. “That clova was very good.”

“I didn’t,” admitted Mistake. “I just tasted each spice to see what would taste better with the meat.”

“Well you did very well in any event,” the merchant smiled. “Rejji how many of those teeth do you have for me?”

“Do you still wish to buy them?” inquired the boy. “I have no need now for the parts I was going to order.”

“I not only want them,” smiled Brontos, “but I will pay you double for them. I think I have finally made my mind up that this will be my last trip to Fakara. It is a troubled land and getting worse. As nobody else will ever have a supply of the teeth again, I suppose I can name my own price for them back in Khadora. I will pay you in gold. Hopefully that will allow you to eat and not get Mistake killed while she tries to get food.”

“I have close to four hundred of them,” grinned the village boy. “That is very kind of you Brontos. Thank you.”

“You are one of the kindest boys I have met in this troubled land,” smiled Brontos. “While others run off to join the bandits, you looked after your entire village generously. Your father would have been proud of you.”