Read Sethra Lavode (Viscount of Adrilankha) for Free Online Page B

as certain other items that were secured at the market.”
    “And,” said Piro, “while the food is being prepared, let us prepare to strike camp.”
    “Ah,” said Belly, “we are moving?”
    “We believe we were identified at the market.”
    “That is too bad,” observed Iatha. “But, no matter. How are our funds?”
    “After this last trip to the market, they are distressed,” said Röaana, who functioned as the treasurer for the firm. “That is to say, thin.”
    “And yet,” said Kytraan, “it has seemed to me that we have been doing tolerably well in our investments.”
    “Indeed we have,” said Piro. “And we should all be wealthy, if—”
    “Yes?” said Iatha. “If?”
    “If we did not all continually go into villages and buy drinks for everyone in sight all night and into the morning.”
    “Well,” said Kytraan, shrugging.
    Grassfog sighed. “I believe,” he said, “that we must soon either begin conserving our assets as we acquire them, or else find a new enterprise.”
    “How, you think so?” said Piro.
    “I am convinced of it. In a hundred years, or perhaps less, it will be useless to attempt to work the roads.”
    “Oh,” said Ibronka. “A hundred years. Well, you perceive, a hundred years does not go by abruptly.”
    “It will when you are older,” said Grassfog, shrugging.
    “But tell me,” said Piro, “why you say that in a hundred years or less we will be unable to continue?”
    “Oh, I know that,” said Ibronka.
    “Well?” said the others. “Tell us.”
    “Teleportation,” said Ibronka.
    “Exactly,” said Grassfog. “Soon, all merchants will either be able to teleport, or, perhaps, to hire it done. Indeed, had I a disposition to enter into a business, which I must confess I do not, why, I should become a sorcerer, and learn to teleport, and make a living by hiring myself to merchants with fat purses, teleporting them to safety for a small part of those purses, and warning them of the dangers of fierce road agents.”
    Kytraan said, “Do you truly believe teleportation will become so common?”
    “I do,” said Grassfog.
    “And I agree,” said Ibronka.
    “Well, that settles it,” said Piro. “Never will I be so foolish as to dispute with both of you. But then, if we have a hundred years—”
    “Maybe twenty years,” said Grassfog, shrugging again. “Who knows? These things happen quickly. And consider that if this region becomes known as dangerous for travelers, well, it will be even quicker here, so that we may be forced to find another place to operate.”
    “That would not be so bad,” said Kytraan. “This region is pleasant enough, especially now that winter seems to be over, but to be sure there are others.”
    “Do you know,” said Ritt, “it seems to me that one of us ought to learn to teleport.”
    “In fact,” said Ibronka, “I had considered that.”
    “How, had you?” said Piro.
    “Well,” said Ritt, “consider that we could transact business with a fat merchant here in Mistyvale, and then teleport to, for example, Candletown.”
    “Indeed,” said Kytraan. “Why, that would be a splendid idea! I donot mind living out of doors, at least when the weather is warm, but to have a pleasant room in a comfortable inn, with plumbing, and—”
    “Alas,” said Ibronka. “It would not work.”
    “How, it would not?” said Röaana.
    “It is impossible.”
    “You had already thought of this means of operating, hadn’t you?” said Piro, admiringly.
    “Well,” said Ibronka, “I had never intended to be a road agent, but it seems to me that, if I am to be one after all, I may as well be a good one.”
    “You are adorable,” said Piro.
    “And yet,” said Iatha, “I wish to hear why this would not work.”
    “My lords and my ladies,” said Lar, “I beg to be permitted to observe that your breakfast is now ready.”
    Each took his messkit and formed a queue: Piro being served first, then Ibronka, followed by Röaana,