"I only have gold coins to pay with, and the staff insisted I get as close to full value as they could get. We compromised, though, since I didn't want to clean them out completely--I was worried for my safety if I did. So they gave me half the value of the coin in treats, and now I have half remaining in credit for future visits. I should probably switch my money over into this world's currency, but I admit I enjoy the look on the shopkeeper's faces when I pull out a handful of gold coins."

Karla was babbling. But if her babbling got Tahiri a little more comfortable and relaxed, Karla could keep going for hours if necessary.

She really hoped it wasn't necessary.

"Wine?" she offered. Again, a glass or two would help with the relaxing, and wouldn't interfere with any of the other brews she'd brought.