Vrandani shook his head. "The agreement was you would buy me drinks. Not the other way around."
He turned to the bartender, forcing his eyes wide and innocent. "You guys do accept cash, right?"
He needed to sell this. Martikani's little trick with the card—they both knew what it meant. One swipe and they'd light up every system in Zubie. Game over.
What neither of them knew: three days ago, while they'd been on the road to Scanazia, Cantaania had issued a bounty. Ten bricks of gold for their capture. Ten bricks for information on their whereabouts. And a warning to every city and town—watch for strangers. Be careful who you let through your gates.
Scanazia was small. A town where everyone knew everyone. Where two unfamiliar faces stood out like blood on snow.
The bartender's eyes lingered on them a beat too long. His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Nope."
Vrandani's stomach dropped.
