3

You close your eyes and relive the events again, as they happened. You know that, with a thought, the device will transmit to the Merchant-Queen the experience of everything that happened this morning, faster than you could explain it out loud.

* * *

A short ride on horseback has brought you to Avatriori villa, on the outskirts of the city. Most houses, small and simple, lie in the large flat area ahead, with the business district situated in the center.

A bread-seller walks down an empty avenue, his cries of "fresh bread" ringing off the walls, but the streets are otherwise nearly empty at this twilight hour.