Chapter 48: The Price of Information

The old man continued studying Zarek, his attention lingering on the bruises and the way he carried himself.

"You’re still human, yet your body is stronger than most people’s. Perhaps even stronger than some of the things roaming outside."

Zarek gave him an indifferent look. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

The old man chuckled softly, then turned toward Mara.

"You came here with a purpose. What is it?"

Mara stepped forward. "My group is running short on food. We have enough people to defend ourselves, but hunting and scavenging haven’t brought back nearly enough supplies. I came to see if we could arrange a trade."

"What do you have to offer?"

"Weapons and ammunition, mainly. We also have some medical supplies, though I can’t promise a large quantity." Mara paused, choosing her next words carefully.

"I’m not asking you to feed everyone for free. If you have surplus food, we can work out an exchange that benefits both sides."

The old man rested his hands on the head of his cane. His guards remained nearby, watching the visitors without interrupting.

"How much food do you need?"

"Enough to keep my people going while we figure out a more reliable source. A one-time exchange would help, but I’d prefer to establish something we can continue if things work out."

"You want a regular supply?"

"If possible."

"And what happens when your ammunition runs out? Or when you have no more medical supplies to trade?"

Mara had expected the question. "Then we’ll have to negotiate again, based on what each side can offer. I can’t promise resources I don’t have, and I won’t pretend my group can supply you indefinitely."

The old man regarded her for a moment before leaning back in his chair.

"At least you’re being honest."

"I’m not asking for charity."

"No, I suppose you aren’t."

He tapped his cane lightly against the floor, considering her proposal. Mara waited, resisting the urge to fill the silence.

Finally, the old man spoke again.

"Your offer has some merit, but I don’t think we need more weapons badly enough to exchange a substantial amount of food for them. We already have people capable of defending this floor."

Mara glanced at the armed men behind him. She had noticed their equipment on the way in, and it was considerably better than what most of her survivors possessed.

They weren’t simply carrying whatever they had managed to find. Several wore protective gear, and their weapons appeared to be in decent condition.

She returned her attention to the old man. "Then what would you consider a fair exchange?"

"Before we discuss that, I’d like to make you a different offer."

Mara waited.

"I can provide food for your group," he said. "In return, I’ll take him."

His gaze shifted toward Zarek.

For a moment, Mara wondered whether she had misunderstood him.

"You want Zarek?"

"That’s what I said."

"Why?"

"Does the reason matter if the arrangement benefits you?"

"It matters if you’re asking me to hand someone over as part of a food trade."

The old man raised an eyebrow. "You came here because your people are hungry. I offered you a solution."

"And I’m refusing it."

Her answer came quickly enough that even Zarek glanced at her.

Mara kept her attention on the old man. Whatever he wanted with Zarek, she wasn’t going to hand someone over simply because her people needed supplies.

The old man studied her response without showing any obvious irritation.

"You’re willing to walk away from food your people desperately need?"

"I’m willing to negotiate for food. I’m not willing to trade a person for it."

"Even when that person might agree to leave with me?"

Mara hesitated briefly before answering. "If Zarek wants to make his own arrangement with you, that’s between the two of you. But I won’t make that decision for him, and I won’t offer him as payment."

The old man turned to Zarek. "And what do you think?"

"I’m not interested."

The answer was casual, almost dismissive.

"May I ask why?"

"You may. Doesn’t mean I’ll answer."

One of the guards shifted his stance, but the old man lifted a hand before he could speak.

"Fair enough."

He looked back at Mara. "Then let’s return to your original proposal. How much ammunition can you spare?"

Mara gave him a careful estimate. She made it clear that her group couldn’t surrender everything it possessed, particularly while they still had to protect their shelter.

In exchange, she requested enough food to cover their immediate shortage, with the possibility of further trades if both sides benefited.

The old man questioned her numbers, particularly the ammunition she wanted to keep for her group’s defense.

Mara refused to surrender more than she could afford, though she agreed to part with some of their spare rounds in exchange for a larger share of the food.

Neither got everything they wanted, but they eventually found terms both could accept.

They settled on a smaller initial exchange of food for ammunition.

If the arrangement proved useful to both sides, they could discuss another trade later. The first delivery would not solve Mara’s problems permanently, but it would give her group some breathing room.

It was better than she had expected when she first entered the room.

"I’ll have the supplies prepared," the old man said. "You can arrange the exchange with my people before you leave."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"Save your thanks until you’ve received everything."

Mara gave a small nod. She had learned not to count on an agreement until it was carried out.

The old man rose, and one of the guards approached to discuss the arrangements with her.

Mara followed him a short distance away, clarifying the quantities and how the exchange would be handled. Zarek remained where he was, with little interest in the details.

Once everything had been settled, Mara returned to him.

"We should go."

Zarek followed her out. Neither of them spoke much as they passed the armed guards and headed back toward the stairs.

Mara was already thinking about how to divide the food fairly among her people, while Zarek had no intention of involving himself in the distribution.

They had nearly reached the stairwell when a voice called from behind them.

"Zarek."

He stopped and looked back. Mara turned as well.

The old man stood at the doorway, his guards still gathered nearby.

"If you want to know more about the world and those people," he said, "we can discuss something—and you will definitely like that."

Zarek studied the old man for another moment, but the man offered no explanation.

Mara glanced at him, waiting to see whether he would respond. Zarek simply turned away and continued toward the stairs. She followed.

Behind them, the old man remained at the doorway, watching until they disappeared from sight.