Meet the Rajput trader

As you are seated across the trader from the place called Rajput, you regard the man. His attire is colorful. And out of those, the most striking thing is that whatever fabric that he's wrapping on his head is red in color. He notices that your eyes are on it, and you notice that he knew. You grin. This is going to be interesting, and may be a bit troubling. "Good day, Master Vikram, welcome to my kingdom,”

The man brought his palms together and nodded. "Good day, Your Majesty. Thank you for giving the time to grant me an audience," He looks around. "Although, I'm perplexed why this is held in a unofficial capacity,"

You wave him off. "Of course, you know why," as you gestured toward Mei Xue who is seated nearby. "She has informed me about you, and looking at how you purposely choose to wear colorful clothing to piqued my interest regarding the origins of the dyes, I can say that you are at least as sharp as she described. Wouldn't it be better if we can disperse with over politeness and fake deference and speak directly?"

At your signal, servants brought in food and liquor to serve.

"Let's us enjoy some drink and food while we talk." you say as you break a bread and taking a small piece into your mouth.

Vikram did the same.

You keep eating, and he follows as well. After a few minutes, you finally say something, "They say that one will never eat in front of a ferocious beast or an enemy, and so, by this token, we are at least neither to each other,"

The trader's eyes widened and then he laughed. "Well played, Your Majesty. I thought of trying to enticing you with dyes, but you easily tell me what you wish for in regard to spices and flavoring by making food as the centerpiece of conversation."

"Well, we eat to live and live to eat."

"Truer words are never said."

The two of you and Meiyue finish your meal while engaging in small talks. After everything has been taken away and everybody else has left, you say, "Well, shall we leave it to our people to sort out the rates and quantities?"

Vikram nods and say, "I will have my book keeper come tomorrow."

There was no need to haggle because the two of you know that engaging in such as trivial matter is pointless and a waste of time.

"Very well. Tell me, Master Vikram, what do you want?"