(Ulstermann, nice, and thanks; glad to know that my logic is sound.)

"Thank you," Par said in a light, but not too light, tone, "I'm glad we can do business." He then turned behind him and shouted:

"Carrie, can you bring out 200 caps from the strongroom? Use a leather pouch!" After a couple of minutes, an 18 or 19-year old young woman came out, bearing a smallish leather bag that bulged with what was clearly bottlecaps. Par then handed over said pouch to Morris the Mongrel, then said:

"Here are the caps; now, the lowdown, will we hold it here, or would can we have it somewhere more secure? On second thought; let's hold it here - both Order and Rebels still seem to be distracted with the skirmish."

Par would then wait for Morris to give the information. Once the man began to exposit, the merchant would nod in acknowledgement at certain points, and, between pauses in the conversation, would ask questions of his own for clarification.

"So, where do the Order get their weapons? The former Lambert District, or the Sarvaeux one?"

"In turn, where do you think the Revolutionaries are getting their weapons from?"

"Napoleon V...how does one get an audience with her? She seems more approachable than the King. Also, I heard she's very beautiful, is that true?"

"Also, the King himself, does he like only women?"

[@Ordure], [@Tuxedo Fox], [@Lord Coake], [@Ulstermann]