Read Online Shaman by Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff - Free Book Online Page A

you start packing now, you can leave in time to avoid the humiliation.” He turned and strode away, his purple cape billowing behind him in the breeze.
    Rhys felt Danetta’s hand on his shoulder. “Don’t let him get to you,” she told him. “In a situation like this I’d take your philosophy over his any day of the millennium.”
    â€œBut he’s right, you know. He has won on points. The Pa-Kai were in conniptions over his offer. I just can’t, in good faith, make them that kind of a bid. It would be like giving them Pandora’s box... without the user’s manual.”
    â€œI understand. Notice that I’m not pressuring you to sell them the moon... or its man-made equivalent. This is a big deal, Rhys. A very big deal. I don’t like the idea that we may have to depend on Bristol-Benz for our supply of foon—super-latex, or whatever. But, well... you’re the Professor.” She tucked a lock of just-going-gray and gold hair back up under her head-dress and crooked a finger at Rhys’s apprentices. “Come, children. Let’s get back to work. I see by Pa-Lili’s urgent gestures that they’re ready to start.”
    The trouble with the Pa-Kai, Rhys decided, worrying his spirit bag and gazing moodily into space, was that they were so expressive. As a negotiator, he was used to sitting opposite poker faces of every description, but the Pa-Kai, with their encyclopedia of facial expressions and gestures, were quite disturbing. They were obviously a joy to Zarber, who could read his success on their faces, but for Rhys it was hard to maintain his own facade of self-confidence.
    An ancestor of his might have conversed with Zarber at knife point and forced him to own his lies. But then, an ancestor of Zarber’s would have simply turned into a bat and taken Rhys’s ancestor out for lunch. Ah, but if Myrddin had been one of Rhys Llewellyn’s forebears...
    Rhys snapped to attention as the Eldest and his train entered the tent. He studied them for some encouraging sign, but saw none. Pa-Lili didn’t even glance his way.
    When all were seated, the Pa-Kai Shaman stood before her Chief, facing the Humans across the Council Circle. “We have pondered and come to a (pleasing to us) decision.”
    â€œAnd quickly, too, I must say,” murmured Zarber, just loud enough for Rhys to hear.
    â€œWe thank the Shaman Zarber very much for his Great Wealth offer, and accept...” The violet eyes moved to Rhys’s face. “...the offer of the Tanaka Eldest and her vivid Shaman.”
    â€œWhat?” Zarber was, to all appearances, thrown beyond stunned into shock.
    Rhys was thrown for a loop, as well. Grinning from ear to ear, he capered and twirled in quite sincere abandon, then returned to his seat, beaming at Danetta, who gave him a “thumbs up.”
    â€œYou have made us most radiant,” he said. “Your wondrous colors overwhelm us.”
    Pa-Lili gestured that this was understandable, then turned to a now coolly fuming Vladimir Zarber. “Thank you for coming,” she said in musically accented Standard. “It has been interesting.”
    â€œI don’t understand!” The words burst from Zarber’s mouth as if he couldn’t control them. He shifted quickly back to Pa-Kai. “Our offer was vastly superior to theirs.”
    â€œWe did not see this,” returned Pa-Lili in Pa-Kai. “It was your eye problem.”
    â€œMy—? No, friend, it is your eye problem. The making stuff things and foods and playthings we offered are worth much more than what this — this Shaman has offered.”
    â€œTo you, perhaps. Not to the Pa-Kai.” Pa-Lili stared down her long nose at him. “Please, you may go. We have things (many) to discuss with the Tanaka Eldest and Shaman Reeslooelen.”
    Zarber blinked and gaped as if Pa-Lili’s words were incomprehensible to him. Behind and