"There's only one thing I'm interested in..."

"If you answer all of my questions, I'll see what I can do. No promises."

"What kind of questions?" she asked, deflating slightly.

"First of all, what's your name?"

"I'm Niki, of the Vakila clan. You?"

"Shiroe, of... let's go with 'Akiba.'"

"Never heard of it."

"Likewise. Where are we right now?"

Niki shrugged. "At the Party's Rest?"

But Shiroe simply regarded her expectantly.

"...in the city of Avana?" she continued.

Shiroe raised both eyebrows to indicate interest, and continued listening.

"...in the Tivera empire?" she added with a shrug.

Shiroe leaned forward slightly, maintaining patient eye contact.

"...on... the planet... Absoterra?" she concluded with an uncertain cringe.

Shiroe pressed his fingertips together while regarding her and continued to wait.

Niki sighed. "And I don't know what's around the planet, all right? I'm not a freaking Wizard!"

Shiroe nodded. "Fair enough. What will you do if I don't help you?"

Niki swallowed. "Ask the next guy, I suppose?" For some reason, now that she'd started answering his intense line of questioning, it felt rude... even slightly dangerous to stop.

"What's so special about these muffins?"

"Nothing. They don't even give you a temporary stat boost. They're just really, really good."

"What will happen to you if you never eat another one?"

A tear suddenly rolled down Niki's cheek, but she sucked in a deep breath through clenched teeth. "Nothing of consequence," she stated in a surprisingly firm voice. "I suppose I'd have to start getting my breakfasts elsewhere."

"All right. Now, then..." Shiroe leaned closer, and lowered his voice. "Now that we both understand what's at stake, I want you to think very carefully before you answer my next question. Understand?"

Niki nodded. To her credit, she did not shed a second tear.

"Why won't they sell to you?"

"I started a fight."

"Why did you start a fight?"

"Because that stupid rogue wouldn't ti--" Niki suddenly cut herself off and covered her mouth with both hands. Her face turned red as she realized what she'd almost admitted.

"Hmm." Shiroe closed his eyes, not wanting to embarrass her any further. "You don't have to answer that last question, if you don't want to. How much is a muffin?"

"Half a silver." The way she said it, that sounded like a lot. Even so, it was a gold coin that she held in her hand.

"How many silver are equal to one gold?"

"Ten," she said. "But I'm willing to pay--"

"I realize what you're willing to pay," Shiroe said, taking the gold coin from her. "I'll see what I can do. No promises. In the meantime, please wait here. Don't talk to anybody else, and don't pick any fights. Understood?"

"Yes sir." Niki was annoyed that the "sir" had slipped out, but mercifully, he turned and walked into the inn as if he hadn't noticed.

What had she gotten herself into?

"Well, hello there, traveler," said the catwoman behind the bar.