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He glances back to see Dave standing with Illan, a sullen expression on his face. “Very well then.” They continue down the street until they see a store with a large window. Four of Tersa’s teddy bears are displayed there. He grins to Fifer when he sees them.

Walking in, he finds a portly man organizing small pouches into a neat pile. As they enter, he turns to greet them. “Good day to you gentlemen,” he says with a warm smile. “How may I help you today?”

James gestures to the teddy bears in the window and says, “I saw a woman with a little girl who had one of those and wanted to find out about them.”

“We just got them in a few days ago,” he says. “At first I didn’t really think they would do much, but so far I’ve sold half.”

“People really like them?” he asks.

Nodding, he replies, “The kids do. The trader lady who sold them to me suggested that I give one away and just see what happens. I thought that a rather foolish thing to do so before she left, she gave one to a little girl. After the girl left, she said, ‘If you sell all those in a week, you pay me for the one I just gave away.’ Of course I told her I would, but I didn’t think it would work. But sure enough, I sold three more that day just from people whose kids saw the little girl with hers.”

He looks to James and asks, “Are you interested in buying one?”

Shaking his head, he says, “No. I was just curious. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” the shopkeeper says as they turn to leave.

When they’re back outside the shop, Miko asks, “Why did you want to know about them?”

“Just doing a little market research,” he says. He smiles at Miko’s blank look of not understanding. Who would have thought Mr. Edward’s class on economics would have come in handy here. Unable to stop himself, he breaks into a short laugh.

The others look at him a bit oddly.

Back at the inn, they find Jiron has already arranged for their rooms. Taking their horses around back to the stables, they get them settled in for the night before returning to their rooms.

Later on when they convene in the common room for their evening meal, they take a large table off to one side. The room begins to fill as other travelers as well as locals come to have their meals. A bard sets up and begins playing by the time the server has brought them their food.

“I doubt if they’ve given up yet,” Jiron suddenly says.

“Who?” Fifer asks.

“The people who were interrogating Dave,” he explains. “It still bothers me that one of them got away.”

“True,” agrees Illan. “But if we stay together and keep alert, we should have no problem.”

“Wish they would just stop,” says Miko.

Dave gives a short laugh at that.

Turning to him, Jiron asks, “You got something to say?”

Giving Jiron a sardonic look, he replies, “They’re never going to stop! They will keep at him until they have what they want.” To James he says, “Would it be so bad to give it to them if it would mean living without the fear of being attacked at any moment.”

Jiron gives him a look of barely disguised disgust.

Shaking his head, James says, “Never. They could give me no guarantee that I would believe. Besides, giving it to them may prove more disastrous than the possibility of continued attacks.”

Face turning into a frown, Dave glances at the others and can see them united against the idea of returning the Fire to the Empire. Getting up, he says, “I’m going to my room and go to sleep.”

“Be careful and lock the door,” James tells him.

“You needn’t point out the obvious,” he replies then begins making his way to the stairs and up to the room he and James share.

“Coward,” can be heard though James not sure which one of them said it.

Turning his attention to the others, he says, “You guys should cut him a break.”

Jiron looks at him with a serious look on his face. “Are you sure he’s the type of person you want around? Things are afoot and he’s just a liability.” Around the table others nod their heads in agreement.

Sighing, James says, “I know. But where would he go? What would he do? I’m almost as lost here as he is.”

“But you’re handling it well,