Hi, Sometimes when I have just a few minutes to read something, I pick up Dragon and randomly read. I had a thought on this passage: end of Chapter 6, Paperback page 104. Vlad speaking to Sethra the Younger: 'What I said was, "What would you do with Kieron's greatsword?" I could see her trying to decide if I deserved an answer. At last she said, "Conquer the East. It would be a tremendous symbol for the leader of--" "Spare me," I said. She cleared her throat. "Yes, certainly. But you must see, you are the perfect choice."' . . . Vlad says "Spare me" to tell her that he did not want to hear about it. Sethra the Younger understands, clears her throat and stops talking about the subject. My thought is that she might have taken Vlad literally. Vlad says "Spare me" and Sethra the Younger misunderstands, clears her throat and says "Yes, certainly" meaning Yes, certainly I will not kill you when I kill all the other Easterners. I think she had the same problem Morrolan and Sethra had in Taltos. She came to see Vlad thinking of him as a Jhereg and not as an Easterner. Page 103 Vlad speaking: '"What makes you think I have any interest in doing you a service?" She looked startled. "Oh, I'm not asking you for a service." "You're not?" "No, no. I intend to pay you." I carefully controlled my reaction. "I see. Well, what is this negotiation about?" "The sword, of course."' So, I think Sethra the Younger just agreed to not cut Vlad in half with Kieron's greatsword. She may even consider that agreement to be the payment for Vlad setting up the negotiation. I cannot find direct text evidence of a payment being made by Sethra the Younger. Bye. Linda G.