"Highly different standards," she said, voice low and almost conspiratorial. "I have heard, though, that the stick and the sense of entitlement is commonplace for Free Marchers. Is that true?"

Her free hand settled on her hip briefly. "You know, I believe my father once told me that if a handsome man told me to sit on his knee while we discussed trading, that I shouldn't trust him." She was hardly serious; the smile on her face said otherwise. She sat as he bade her just the same.