Contents
Chapter 21: A Matter of Price
Overview
Marlowe seeks passage to Vorgossos through merchant Antonius Brevon, who demands an exorbitant fee or Marlowe’s palatine blood. Rejecting the sale of his genome, Marlowe offers Cielcin blood from his captive, Tanaran, as payment. Brevon, intrigued by its research value, agrees to arrange transport within a month.
Summary
Marlowe, Switch, Crim, and others navigate March Station’s freight district to the office Cento recommended. A homunculus receptionist, Eva, leads Marlowe and Switch into Antonius Brevon’s peculiar underwater-view office, where a massive raven, Hrothgar, perches beside the merchant.
Brevon confirms he can arrange passage to Vorgossos via Exalted Sojourner ships, which can conceal entire vessels, but he names an immense price. He tests Marlowe, offering alternatives such as genome purchase or homunculus genomes, revealing his own unsettling prosthetics and metal eyes. Marlowe refuses to sell any part of himself despite their dwindling funds.
When haggling fails, Marlowe proposes a different currency: a sample of upper-caste Cielcin blood from his captive, Tanaran. Though wary, Brevon shows interest, emphasizing potential pharmaceutical and research value rather than natalist cloning. The moral cost weighs on Marlowe, who recognizes the compromise but chooses it over surrendering his own genome.
Brevon accepts the deal in principle, stating a ship will depart for Vorgossos within the month, contingent on delivery of the promised Cielcin blood. The meeting ends with terms set and Marlowe’s course fixed by a difficult bargain.
Who Appears
- Hadrian MarloweProtagonist; seeks passage to Vorgossos, refuses to sell his genome, offers Cielcin blood as payment.
- Antonius BrevonExtrasolar merchant with prosthetic hands and metal eyes; brokers Exalted transport; accepts Cielcin blood deal.
- EvaHomunculus receptionist and attendant designed by Brevon; serves tea and facilitates the meeting.
- SwitchMarlowe’s ally and guard presence during negotiations; stands ready but defers to Marlowe.
- HrothgarBrevon’s raven; interjects with terse calls, reflecting tension in the conversation.
- CrimActs as herald announcing Marlowe; remains outside during the negotiation.
- TanaranCielcin captive; his blood becomes Marlowe’s bargaining chip for passage.