I stared at the proferred hand — one that could eassily palm my skull — and shook my head blankly. It was withdrawn.

“What kind of partnership?”

Bhuto straightened and adjusted his armor. “The only one which can save you ancestor from these…” he used a word I immediately could not recall. “We should travel as I explain. Do you have a weapon?”

For the first time, I felt like smiling.