Proposition One

The soup tasted even more wonderful than it smelled. “But you have something to gain from being nice to me?”

“One should always be kind to one’s fellow beings whether or not one seeks gain,” the man said. “How is it?”

“It’s very good,” Dakshana admitted. She was still watching him with wary eyes. He looked old, and his voice creaked like winter winds, but the fire in his eyes was full of the vigor of youth.

“I’m glad my years of improving my cooking have finally paid off.” The man slid closer. “I have a proposition for you, actually.”