Shaman Read Free Page A

invitation eagerly.
    â€œYour place of colorings will be my School Tent, my Great Tent, my Paradise,” he said, and realized that a deep part of him meant it in more than the polite sense.
    o0o
    Vladimir Zarber was furious when he heard that negotiations would be held up until the arrival of the Tanaka CEO. He didn’t look furious or sound furious—at least not in front of the Pa-Kai. In front of the Pa-Kai he nodded and cooed and said merely that the Chief of Bristol-Benz would be disappointed. In front of Rhys and his team, Zarber was considerably more disgruntled.
    â€œWhat did you do?” he asked Rhys suspiciously. “How did you get them to postpone the talks? I had that Shaman convinced our Chief was honoring them by showing up so fast. She was suitably impressed.”
    Rhys scratched his jaw and gazed cross-clearing at the Pa-Kai’s tent village, glowing in the twilight. “I only told her our Chief had some things to take care of on Jamal first.”
    Zarber’s eyes narrowed. “That should have put her off. You didn’t tell her...”
    Rhys could tell he was searching for the appropriate euphemism. “What, that there was no way in God’s great Cosmos you could get your CEO here by tomorrow morning? No, Vlad. I didn’t make a peep. Your... fairy tales are your concern. I’d only expose one of them if I thought it might endanger somebody.”
    â€œYou make me sound like a crass materialist.”
    Rhys shook his head. “You’re a businessman, Vladimir. Neither pure nor simple. But I do admire your style.”
    The older man raised silken brows in an arc of surprise. “Why, thank you, Llewellyn. Dare I hope that praise is sincere?”
    â€œI’m always sincere.”
    â€œYes, you are,” agreed Zarber cheerfully. “And that, young man, is bound to be your undoing in this business. You have neither the ability nor the inclination to prevaricate.”
    Rhys shrugged. “I’ve always subscribed to the belief that, more often than not, honesty really is the best policy.”
    â€œThat is a subscription best canceled,” retorted Zarber, visibly pleased with the glib pun. “Most developed cultures expect cleverness in business dealings, whereas our primitive hosts here would be offended by what you call sincerity.”
    â€œI’m not sure I agree with your definition of cleverness, Vlad. But I think our ‘primitive hosts’ may be quite offended to discover that your ‘Chief’ is one of your assistants, and that the real CEO of Bristol-Benz couldn’t be bothered to attend the negotiations.”
    Zarber’s expression darkened. “Is that a threat?”
    â€œNo. I’ve already told you I have no intention of pulling your covers off.”
    â€œThen the point is moot, isn’t it? Since there’s no one else around to pull my covers.”
    â€œI suppose so... Look, it’s getting dark and we’ve got a state dinner to attend.” Rhys glanced toward the tent village again.
    â€œOh, yes, of course. And I suppose you’re looking forward to it.”
    â€œYes, I am. Now, if you’ll excuse me...?” Rhys gave his competitor a slight nod and headed back to the shuttle.
    He really was looking forward to the banquet, he realized as he donned his flamboyant Shaman’s garb. His afternoon in the company of the Pa-Kai Eldest’s Shaman, Pa-Lili, had been interesting and productive. Pa-Lili had given him a tour of her workshop, performed several characteristically Pa-Kai magics for his edification, and taken him on her “rounds,” explaining certain spells, tonics, and cures as she executed them.
    In turn, he had demonstrated the workings of both his communicator/recorder and his brief-comp, and shown her what Humans made with foon. He’d used his own purple dress unisuit by way of example, as well as the waterproof fabric of his