Chapter 8

Beeg Time

"Hello again.", Damon said stretching and making room for Jayeis to climb aboard.

"Yeah. Hey there.", Jayeis said smiling. She looked back into the wagon at Tshaya who was pretending to be asleep.

"He wants her, bad.", Jayeis said to Damon. "He says that he's not going to go to Mal Erek until she dances for him."

It was the last thing that Tshaya wanted to hear and she tried not to make a face. She was struggling with her new life among the gaje. As part of a kumpania she was free to treat amorous gaje men in whatever way she wanted, knowing that she would never have to see them again. But now it was different. Damon and Silas were always there. She couldn't just leave them when she didn't want to be around them. And worse still, she needed them to take her where she wanted to go. She struggled to find a way to handle the situation.

"He's going to regret this whole thing.", Damon said with a sigh.

"Yeah.", Jayeis said once again. It seemed to be her favorite word.

"Ever been to Mal Erek?", Jayeis asked, her eyes sparkling again.

"Yes, actually, but not for several years.", Damon answered. "So, what does he have in mind for today?"

"I don't know.", Jayeis replied. "But we're miles away from anywhere."

Damon thought about that and realized that if Silas wanted to take advantage of Tshaya there would be no way that he could prevent it. Damon couldn't handle four armed men by himself.

Damon looked sidelong at Jayeis. "Why are you telling us all this?", he asked, choosing his words carefully.

Jayeis had to think about that for a while. She wanted to warn them, but she didn't think that anything bad would actually happen. And the last thing that she wanted was for them to run away. Finally she replied, "Just in case, I guess."

"Damn. I must be getting rusty, I thought it was due to my dashing good looks." Damon grinned. "Just in case of what?"

Jayeis changed the subject. "You're a great singer.", she said instead. "I want to watch your show again. I want you to make it big in Mal Erek."

"The more I think about it, we'd probably have a better chance without your patron's...help.", Damon said, disturbed by Silas' infatuation with Tshaya.

"Not at the Old Oak.", Jayeis replied. "Without him you'll never get a shot. His family owns it."

"Or should I say that the cost of success might be far too great.", Damon added, glancing back at Tshaya.

"Nah. Silas is a pushover.", Jayeis said. Then she turned her head back slightly so that Tshaya could hear her more clearly. "But playing hard to get really drives him crazy."

Tshaya rolled over and turned her back to Damon and Tshaya. Then she made a face where no one could see and decided that she would have to dance for the pig after all. She hoped that doing what he wanted would get him, and all of the gaje, off of her back.

"You said yesterday that you traveled with a Vistani clan at one point.", Damon said, loud enough for Tshaya to hear. "How much of their language did you pick up?"

Jayeis just smiled back. "I'm kind of gifted when it comes to languages.", she said.

Tshaya hissed a Vistani curse word that only she could hear.

Damon laughed. "Ah, well, I can certainly appreciate a talent for tongues or a talented tongue as the case may be.", he said, being his usual forward but subtle self.

Jayeis let the comment slide and wondered if she could get Damon to take her to Richemulot.

Damon leaned back into the wagon and said to Tshaya, "I told you that you would have to try harder."

Tshaya just shrugged without turning back to the other two.

"She's young.", Jayeis said. "She'll learn."

In Vistani, Tshaya said, "Tell the pig I will dance for him tonight."

Jayeis surrendered a charming elven laugh.


The caravan came to a stop that evening and once again everyone gathered around the camp fire for dinner. Even Tshaya joined, though she stayed close to Damon while she ate.

The slightly rotund merchant finished his meal and announced, "Tonight we will have a special treat. The intoxicatingly beautiful Tshaya will dance for us."

Tshaya smiled to the crowd at the mention of her name.

"You don't have to do this, you know.", Damon whispered to Tshaya. "We can figure out another way."

"Like walk the rest of the way alone?", Tshaya whispered back. "Not a good idea."

Damon sighed, knowing that she was right. "Just be careful.", he said.

Tshaya brushed Damon aside and stood up. She clapped her hands like a Baroness summoning a servant. Several small balls of light burst into existence and began to dance around the girl, casting alluring patches of light and shadow over her form and features. Then Tshaya beat out a tune on her mahdal drum and with another swift gesture phantom music reminiscent of a gypsy band filled the camp. Tshaya began to dance to the slow beat of her drum. Her bare feet stamping with the rhythm. The silver bangles on her ankles joined in with the music. Silas smiled broadly as he watched the young Vistani move.

Arren whispered something to Silas who shushed her and then began to clap to the beat, well, close to the beat. The armed men watched with smiles on their faces, occasionally whispering something to each other and nodding and laughing. Tshaya began to sing with the music, a droning tune that was seductive and ominous. The song in Vistani told a tale of a woman wronged, used, and defiled. It told of how she sought her revenge on those who had harmed her.

Silas stood up to dance, poorly. Damon raised an eyebrow at the merchant's attempt to dance, suppressing a laugh. Tshaya didn't bother suppressing her laughter, dancing and spinning as she sang. Then she gazed deeply into Silas' eyes and whispered a few magic words. Nothing happened. Tshaya frowned. But Silas was too worked up by the dancing to have noticed that Tshaya had tried to hypnotize him. One of the guards noticed though, and he began talking with the others.

Silas enjoyed himself thoroughly and it was funny to watch him dance. Tshaya expertly avoided his advances and then brought the show to a quick end. Silas gasped for breath and sat back down with a big smile.

"I haven't had that much fun in a long time.", Silas said, breathing heavily.

Tshaya went into her wagon and laid down on the pillows, angry at Silas for not falling for her spell. Damon watched Tshaya leave and began to pick out a tune on his lute. He kept an eye on everyone but nothing seemed to come of the soldier's discussion. Jayeis and Arren had their eyes on the bard as he played and sang softly and Silas seemed too worn out to want to do anything more. The merchant nodded off to sleep while Damon played. Damon sang a few songs until everyone was ready to go to sleep. Then he made his way to Tshaya's wagon to see if she was still awake.

"May I come in?", Damon said as he knocked softly on the wooden frame of the wagon.

"It's your wagon too.", Tshaya whispered.

Damon climbed inside. "I didn't want to presume.", he replied. "I figure I've done enough of that already. Good show tonight."

"Of course it was. I'm Vistani.", Tshaya said, smiling.

Damon laughed. "Yes.", he replied. "And Master Silas most definitely is not."

"I have seen dancing bears with more rhythm.", Tshaya added.

Damon's tone changed to one far more serious. "How do you plan to deal with him?", he asked.

"I will dance for the pig again tomorrow night.", Tshaya answered.

"And if he's had his fill of dancing and wants to 'dance'?", Damon said, trying to make his implication clear.

Tshaya slowly pulled out a dagger hidden in her skirts. "Then I will make him less of a man than he already is.", she said with more than a little venom in her voice.

Tshaya put her dagger away and smiled. Then she whispered a few magic words and said, "But that won't happen because you will die defending my honor, yes?"

The spell hit Damon and once again he was helpless against it. He chuckled and bowed. "But of course, fair lady.", he said with a flourish. "Although we would not have good odds if we were to go up against his guards."

"I have more hidden up my skirts than a dagger.", Tshaya said as she rolled over and turned her back to Damon.

"I'm sure.", Damon replied. He took his cue to leave and climbed out of the wagon.


Dawn broke and a light rain woke Damon, the drivers, and the guards. Camp was put away quickly as everyone headed for the shelter of the wagons. The caravan moved on slowly in the rain, climbing up over some small hills. The Widow's Tears had become but a stream by mid-afternoon. and soon they crested the hills and the trail led downwards along a tributary to the Little Arden. As night fell the rain let up and Silas found a spot to stop and make camp. Once again Tshaya joined everyone for dinner around the campfire.

"My dear, you are sweet like wine...", Silas said as he looked at Tshaya. "Let us drink in your beauty once again."

Arren looked very annoyed at Silas' comment but Jayeis just smiled. The guards murmured among themselves once more as Tshaya summoned her enchanted aids and began to sing and dance to a happy little elven song. Damon accompanied her on his recorder and soon the camp was awash in song. As before, Silas got up to dance, badly, but this time he seemed intent on dancing next to Tshaya. To his surprise and delight, Tshaya took Silas' hands and danced with him, though not letting him get too close. She bounced quickly around the fire, practically dragging him along. Silas was overjoyed with the young woman's attentions, and he stumbled around the fire with a smile on his face as the guards pointed and laughed.

It took only a few minutes of vigorous dancing to wear out the rotund elf. Tshaya smiled and plopped Silas down back to his seat, amused that she could thwart him so easily. Then, with a wave of her hand, Tshaya signaled Damon to stop playing and brought her magical music down to slow quiet song. Silas almost collapsed to the ground and breathed heavily for a while, wheezing at times. Jayeis had to hold back a laugh. Then Tshaya knelt in front of the sitting Silas and sang an old Vistani song of a mother caring for her children. The song was soft, quiet, and relaxing, a perfect song to try her hypnosis again.

Silas gazed up at Tshaya. And after saying the magic words Tshaya knew that the man was bespelled. Damon didn't notice anything unusual between them, but did see that the guards were discussing something once again. Damon stood and quietly slipped off. Then he circled around to get close enough to listen in on the guards without being noticed, catching just the last part of their discussion.

"But she hasn't done anything yet.", Damon overheard one guard saying.

Tshaya finished her song and leaned over to Silas. She whispered in his ear, "If I am attacked or raped, then you will suffer a horrible curse. Forget that I have spoken Mordentish."

Silas nodded obediently.

"Well, what do you...?", another guard replied as he watched Tshaya, stopping abruptly as he saw her whisper in Silas' ear. He knew something was wrong. He stood up and walked up behind Tshaya. Damon quickly circled back around and emerged from the forest.

Tshaya gave Silas a little peck on the cheek and rose to go back to her wagon. She saw the guard approaching and without panicking she bent over to brush off the dirt on her dress. Prepared for what was about to happen she glanced over at Arren and whispered 'Kashmir', activating her magic shawl and making the half-elf the target.

"We know what you're doing.", the guard said to Tshaya.

Tshaya looked at the guard and shrugged like she didn't know what he was saying. The guard gave Tshaya a hard stare. Tshaya looked over at Damon, expecting a translation. Damon walked toward Tshaya and the guard. He placed a hand on the elf's shoulder.

"My good man.", Damon began in his most diplomatic tone. "I sure there's been some kind of misunderstanding. What exactly is it you think she's done, other than being a little friendly to your employer, that is."

"She does more than just dance.", the guard said, eyeing the man who he decided was her accomplice.

"Yes, she sings as well.", Damon replied. "Lovely voice, don't you think?"

"Let her pass, Reese.", Silas called out harshly. "She is not to be harmed."

The guard kept his stare for a moment more, then glanced at Silas and returned to his seat. Tshaya slipped back to her wagon, pleased with herself that she was able to handle the situation. Damon returned to his place and played out the rest of the evening with an eye on the guards. Distracted, Damon played relatively poorly, worried about what the guards suspected and what they might do. But the rest of the evening passed as the others did, calmly, with the exception that the guards decided to set double watches just in case.

After the others had gone to sleep, Damon again visited Tshaya. He made sure that the guards were not lingering near and he whispered to her, "What was that all about?"

Tshaya shrugged and smiled. "How should I know?", she said innocently. "I don't speak Mordentish."

"What is it he suspects that you've done?", Damon asked in an almost demanding tone.

Tshaya shrugged again. "How should I know. I don't understand the ways of the gaje.", she replied.

Damon sighed, tired of Tshaya's attitude and trying to quell his anger. "How long have you been on your own?", he asked.

"You ask too many questions.", Tshaya said in her typical tone of superiority.

"It's only by asking questions that you will understand.", Damon replied.

Tshaya smiled and said something in Vistani. It sounded like an old proverb.

"I don't suppose you'd care to translate that for a dumb gaje?", Damon said, trying hard to stay pleasant.

"Certainly. It means 'Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies'.", Tshaya replied. "How is that for understanding?"

Damon looked away from her out toward the patrolling guards. "You say you don't understand the ways the gaje, well I do.", Damon said as he felt his desire towards the young girl waning. "I can tell you that if we don't tread carefully that this will not end well."

"I am the one lusted after by most of the men in this caravan and I cannot trust anyone to help me.", Tshaya snapped back. "No one will care what happens to a Vistani girl miles from anywhere. I think I understand the situation much better than you."

Damon looked down at his hands for a moment and then into her eyes. He'd met women like Tshaya before, though never one so bigoted. He knew that her attitude, her disdain for non-Vistani, and most of all her confidence in her ability to manipulate others was going to get her into a lot of trouble, trouble that she wouldn't be able to get herself out of.

"No, you don't understand at all.", Damon said softly. Then he climbed out of the wagon without another word.

Tshaya smiled and rolled over to go to sleep. She had everyone where she wanted them, or so she thought. And as she nodded off to sleep she chuckled quietly to herself as she thought about the dumb gaje who dared to think that he could be her lover.

   
In the morning Damon awoke to find one of the guards talking quietly to Silas as the drivers set up the camp for breakfast. Silas looked surprised and disappointed, but nodded as he listened. Damon stretched and yawned and wandered casually in their direction, but the guard noticed his approach and wrapped up the discussion before Damon could get close enough to hear. Silas looked up soberly at the bard and then over to Tshaya's wagon.

"Good morning, gentlemen." Damon greeted them.

"Morning.", Reese answered flatly.

"I trust everything is well?", Damon asked. "I hope we'll be reaching Mal Erek soon. I'm getting anxious to see the Old Oak for myself."

At the mention of the Old Oak, Silas snapped out of his funk. "It is the most magnificent place to play in all of Sithicus for sure.", he said with a mix of arrogance and pride. "And the atmosphere...", Silas continued. "Well, you shall see for yourself."

Damon had his doubts. He'd heard many such things before. "Indeed. Well, it looks like we'll be having breakfast soon. If you'll excuse me.", Damon said as he smiled and made his way to Tshaya's wagon.

The other guards slowly awakened, and the women began to stir in their wagons. Arren and Jayeis climbed out towards the smell of breakfast. Damon nodded in greeting to the two women as he passed by. His eyes lingered on Jayeis. Even having just woken up, the silver-haired elf was striking. He smiled at her and wondered whether she had thought at all about their conversation from a few days before.

Jayeis glanced up at Damon and gave him a quick smile. She liked the bard but didn't know what she thought about him yet. Staying with Silas was a good thing for her since she didn't have to worry about where her next meal would come from, but Silas left a lot to be desired just about everywhere else. She remembered the times when she traveled with musicians, magicians, and other vagabonds. Those were wild times, fun and exciting, but sometimes they got a little too wild for comfort. Jayeis realized that she wasn't as young as she used to be and she was starting to think about living a safer and more predictable life. So she wondered if running off to Richemulot with Damon was a good idea.

Tshaya sat up in her wagon and stretched. A slight breeze carried the scent of breakfast to her. The caravan's fare was not nearly as good as what her own people could produce but it wasn't all that bad either. Still, Tshaya wrinkled her nose at the smell. The food was passable but having the same every day was growing tiresome. Damon climbed onto the wagon and leaned in.

"Good morning, Princess. Will you be joining we common folk or shall I have the servants bring your meal here, to these lavish apartments?", Damon said with a grin.

Tshaya's unpleasant expression melted into a smile as she replied to the bard. "I shall dine with the peasants today.", she said with only a hint of sarcasm. "You may lead me."

"Excellent. I'm sure everyone will be most honored.", the bard replied. In a grand gesture, Damon offered a hand to her.

"They should be.", Tshaya said confidently as she took his hand and climbed out of the wagon.

"Ah, Tshaya.", Silas said, but not as grandly as he had in the past. "The sun has risen at last."

Tshaya smiled at Silas and said "Good morning" in Vistani.

Silas tried to keep up appearances through breakfast, but he was simply not as enthused about the young dancer anymore. Tshaya noticed the difference so she ate her breakfast and kept quiet. Damon made idle conversation with anyone nearby who looked up to talking. He hoped that Silas' change in mood was the worst that would come of the guards' suspicions.

As another pleasant summer day began to dawn the caravan was off, descending slowly towards the town of Mal Erek. This time the caravan moved at a more normal pace and arrived in town a few hours before nightfall.

It had been a while since Damon had been to Mal Erek. The city had grown and the streets were very crowded. Mal Erek was now rivaling Har-Thelen for the title of "Jewel of the South".  The atmosphere was festive, and there were people of all races in the crowd. In addition to the majority elven population, there were simple folk from Valachan, Verbrek, and Invidia there to see the sights. There were merchants from as far away as Mordent and Barovia selling their wares. And there were a number of Invidian mercenaries enjoying a little rest and relaxation. The town was happening and there were many ways that money that could be made there along with an equal number of ways to spend it.

Tshaya peeked her head out of the caravan to watch the city unfolding before her. She had never been to Mal Erek, and was a little in awe of the sights.

Damon glanced at Tshaya as she watched the bustling city go by and smiled a little. "The big time.", he said with a humorous grin.

Tshaya looked over at Damon and shrugged, acting cool. "If you say so.", she said with her characteristic indifferent attitude. "Just more gaje to me."

Damon looked sidelong at the girl and shook his head. "This city has grown up a lot.", he admitted. "I wonder, exactly what sort of accommodations Silas has in mind for us."

"Why are you worried about him?", Tshaya asked. "We should just jump out now and run into the crowd."

"Well, we made an agreement, and in a life like this reputation is everything.", Damon said, imparting knowledge that he had learned from years on the road.

"Yes.", Tshaya fired back. "And what does me having a reputation as one of Silas' whores get me? Nothing."

Damon frowned. "That won't happen.", he said, but he wished he knew more about Silas' reputation. "One night. I play, you dance, and we see what this Old Oak is about. If he suggests or tries anything different, then we get out."

Tshaya thought for a moment. "Alright. One night.", she agreed.

The caravan continued through the marketplace and then turned and headed up a street that lead towards the rich part of town. The wagons stopped outside a fancy looking shop. Silas gave a few orders to the men and then the caravan split up. The wagons with the guards and supplies stayed behind while the other two moved on.

Tshaya stuck her head out again and noted the name of the shop, "Sugar and spice and everything nice - Silas Erekholm, proprietor."

Tshaya whispered to Damon, "Is it a shop or a whorehouse?"

Damon looked at the establishment as they went by. There were jars of various powders and dried leaves in the windows, but that didn't mean that something else was going on in the back rooms. He whispered back, "Who knows? Probably both."

Tshaya muttered as she lay back in the wagon. "Disgusting pig.", she hissed.

Damon couldn't help but wonder if she was referring to Silas or himself.

The two wagons made their way towards Arden square. As he spied it, Damon had to admit that the Old Oak was impressive. Rising out of the wealthier south side of Mal Erek was a massive oak tree whose branches stretched clean across Arden square. Damon remembered seeing the ancient tree during his last few trips to Mal Erek, but back then it was just a tree. Now its venerable branches enfolded and even supported a large and thriving night club.

 Silas stopped the wagons and escorted the two entertainers inside to meet the manager.

Damon and Tshaya looked all around them. Above their heads dozens of tables lined the thickest branches, woven into the very tree itself and capturing the traditional elven way of living. On the ground there were more tables with the ones around the edges separated from one another by hedges and smaller trees. On the far side of the club there was the stage, large enough for a full band, which could be seen easily from every seat in the club. The Old Oak wasn't just a night club, it was a theater. One which looked as though it sprouted from a magic seed planted by an elven god centuries ago.

Tshaya could no longer act cool and just gaped at the Old Oak.

"Welcome to your new home.", Silas said with a flourish. He was happy that he had finally impressed Tshaya.

"Arren, could you fetch the manager?", Silas asked. The young woman grudgingly did so.

Damon grinned at Tshaya's reaction and said to Silas. "I would dare say it could rival Harmonic Hall.", he admitted.

But there was no true comparison. Harmonic Hall was made just for music, with perfect acoustics and all the seats pointed at the stage. No one ate or drank while they were there. It was dedicated to music. The Old Oak on the other hand, was dedicated to making money for the Erekholm family.

Silas leaned next to Damon and whispered, "Wait until you see Ghizlaine."

"Who would that be?", Damon asked.

"She's the star of the show.", Silas answered. "Your competition."

Tshaya walked and looked around. There were no walls nor a ceiling about the Old Oak, just a tall hedge which stopped passersby from peering in and above her only more branches and sky. Tshaya walked the circumference of the Old Oak and then rejoined Damon and Silas. She looked forward to performing in such a place, with all eyes focused upon her. A little while later, Arren returned with another elf who introduced himself as Csain Erekholm, manager of the Old Oak. He led everyone to a table to discuss business.

Damon greeted the newcomer and introduced himself and Tshaya. At the table he asked. "To get straight to the point, precisely what sort of arrangement are we looking at?"

"What kind of an act do you have?", Csain asked.

"A musical act.", Damon said facetiously. Then he explained. "I sing, tell tales and play a number of instruments, though I have only my lute and recorder on hand at the moment. Tshaya sings and dances. I was trained at the Bardic College in Kartakass and Silas can vouch my companion's natural skills."

"She is exquisite.", Silas added.

Tshaya listened to the business dealings. She thought of how it all would have been handled very differently in the kumpania.

"That's it?", Csain said a little disappointedly. "You play while she sings and dances?"

"Csain, let them play.", Silas said, pleading just a little. "You will see that Tshaya is a most wonderful find."

Damon arched an eyebrow. "What else were you looking for?", he asked.

"Most acts have some kind of gimmick. Something that reaches out and grabs the audience.", Csain explained. "But if Silas can vouch for you then you get a shot. Can you start tonight?"

Damon leaned over and whispered into Tshaya's ear as though repeating the exchange. Tshaya nodded and spoke to Damon in Vistani, "Tell him that he's never seen anything like us before."

Damon pretended to understand her and said to Csain, "Yes, we can start tonight. Thank you for the opportunity. Now, onto the matter of compensation."

"Right. You two will open for Ghizlaine.", the manager began. "Room and board is complimentary as are your meals, but not your drinks."

"You get paid one rose each per night.", Csain continued. His tone of voice sounded as if he'd made the offer a hundred times. He turned towards Tshaya. "You get an extra rose if you go topless. You get an extra rose if you dance nude."

Csain waited for the translation and Damon made it appear that he was giving Tshaya one. But Tshaya couldn't keep her cool. She said nothing, but even before Damon began whispering the glare in her eyes and her red face let it be known that she understood exactly what he said.

"Nobody in the crowd is supposed to touch you. If they do one of the bouncers will take care of them.", Csain explained. Then he pointed his finger at the Vistani. "But if you touch them first you're on your own."

Damon whispered again to Tshaya, hoping that she'd stay calm for the moment but she didn't. Tshaya blurted out a very vulgar Vistani curse word. The only other person at the table who understood it was Jayeis and she just smiled and kept silent.

Damon turned back to Csain. "Uh, we'll discuss the details later, but we have a deal.", he said quickly. "Could we be shown to our quarters now? We need to prepare."

Csain nodded. "The shows begin an hour after dusk.", he said and then led the two through the hedges to their rooms.

Tshaya went into her room, threw her pack down, and locked the door behind her. Damon stowed his own gear in his room. He then went to Tshaya's room and she let him in, locking the door behind him.

"Pointy-eared pigs.", Tshaya spat.

"They aren't all like that." A slight grin appeared on Damon's face. "I'm surprised you didn't leap across the table at him."

"I had my hand on my dagger.", Tshaya said angrily. "I thought about it."

"Honestly, I wouldn't have blamed you if you did.", Damon conceded. To be honest, Damon wasn't against a little nudity in a show, but the way that Csain had handled it made it all feel so cheap.

A mischievous grin appeared on Tshaya's face as she replied, "Don't worry. I'll make sure he regrets it."

"Tshaya, just make sure it isn't something we'll regret too.", Damon advised her.

"I regret nothing.", Tshaya added, getting the final word. Damon changed the subject.

"So what do you think of the place?", the bard asked.

"The place is okay.", Tshaya said, recovering from her early wonderment. "But too many gaje pointy-eared pigs."

"It's changed since I was here last.", Damon confessed. "Too much and maybe for the worse…or maybe I'm just getting old."

"Well I won't stay here long. I can already tell I don't like the place.", Tshaya said in a huff.

"Where do you plan to go?", Damon asked.

Tshaya tapped her finger on her nose. "Where ever my nose leads me.", she said.

Damon smiled. "Hmm, 'into trouble' seems like the most likely place.", he told her.

"What trouble have I gotten into?", Tshaya asked.

Damon thought back and couldn't remember anything off hand. "Well, you ran into me for one.", he said smartly.

"Oh yes, that. And I haven't managed to get rid of you yet. I will have to fix that soon.", Tshaya replied, looking serious.

"Aww, why would you want to do that?", Damon said, pretending to be wounded.

Tshaya smiled. "Because your Vistani is terrible.", she said.

Damon smiled back and asked, "Then why not teach me?"

Tshaya shook her head. "Vistani words are too powerful for a gaje to speak. You would accidentally curse yourself.", she said, still not dropping her serious tone.

Damon laughed brightly. "But surely you could teach me something simple and relatively safe.", he said, ever trying to be charming.

"Yes or no.  'Yo o ne.'  Anything more and you could kill yourself.", the dancer said curtly.

"Hmm I guess that will suffice for now.", Damon replied.

He'd been shot down again.