Reddish skin and goat-like features marked the dealer as being a descendant of the Toleen. Long gone, their ancestry still popped up occasionally. As I approached him, he looked me over. Disregarding the sword on my left hip, he grinned. “For a man that could use a little calm, I have just the thing.”

He put his hand inside his cloak, where I saw many tiny pockets that bulged like strange fruit. I kept a watchful eye on him looking over his bare arms for marks. If he happened to prove treacherous, I was confident enough in my own abilities. My blade-master had oft told me that my hands flashed as quick as a serpent’s tongue.

Triumphantly he produced six narrow sticks, each no longer than the first of a thin man’s finger. “Lucky day!”

“Sense-sticks?” I asked disgustedly. “I can get those anywhere.”

“No these are new- they’re like euphoria-gum but with few side-effects. Have one on me.” He carefully selected one and extended it to me with a smile. There it was- a spider-shaped tattoo crouched on his wrist.