Chapter 148

Although Evarius has agreed to the trade, Carl is skeptical. What if he learns the information and still tortures him for the stone? He knows he might be stretching his luck thin by saying what he is about to say, but he has no choice.

“How can I be sure,” he says slowly and carefully, “that you will follow through with the deal?”

“You can’t,” says Evarius simply. “You cannot be sure, but I give you my word. If what you tell me is valuable to me, I will leave without the stone. People may consider me selfish, evil, or ruthless. They are not entirely wrong, but I keep my word.”

*

The confidence with which Carl is claiming to have some information is intriguing to Evarius though he makes sure to seem mildly indifferent.

Carl takes a deep breath and says, “As I said, I know you want the Binder and so do I, as a matter of fact, which I think you already know. This is the reason I am always up to date about wherever she is even though I can’t get near her. Now, last night, the Junta kidnap