The Mob spokesman was back in his element, face stony and impassive.
“That doesn’t sound like much of a deal.”
“It doesn’t?”
I reviewed the terms quickly in my mind.
“Oh! Excuse me. There is one other important part of my offer I neglected to mention. I don’t expect your employers to give up their objectives without any return at all. What I have in mind is a swap: an army and maybe a kingdom for an opportunity to exploit an entire world.”
Shai-ster raised his eyebrows.
“You’re going to give us the world? Just like that? Lord Magician, I suspect you’re not bargaining with a full deck.’*
“I didn’t say I would give you the world, I said I would give you access to a world. Brand new territory full of businesses and people to exploit; one of the richest in the universe.”
The spokesman frowned.
“Another world? And I’m supposed to take your word as to how rich it is and that you can give us access?”
“It would be nice, but even in my most naive moments I wouldn’t expect you to accept a blind bid like that. No, I’m ready to give you a brief tour of the proposed world so that you can judge for yourself.”
“Wait-a minute,” Shai-ster said, holding up his hands. “This is so far beyond my negotiating parameters that-even if I liked what I saw, I couldn’t approve the deal. I need to bring one of the Big Boys in on this decision.”
This was better than I had hoped. By the time he could bring one of the Mob’s hierarchy to Possiltum, I could deal with some of my other problems.
“Fine. Go and fetch him. I’ll hold the deal until your return.”