At ten the next morning, in the reception room of the Faoken Governor's Residence.
Dimis sat across from John in plain but tidy traditional Goblin clothes. He had left behind the cane he had used yesterday. His expression was respectful without being servile.
Clatter!
Meanwhile, Wendy, dressed in an Imperial Air Force major's uniform, had set aside her usual restless energy for once. She stood quietly to one side, pouring tea.
Every movement flowed into the next, as graceful as a performance.
"Try this, Mr. Dimis."
From the seat of honor, John used magic to slide a steaming cup toward Dimis. His dark eyes studied the old Goblin, and a faint note of amusement entered his voice. "I bought this tea, called Mistspike, on my way back from Ereno. It comes from the southern Empire. According to the merchant, it clears the mind and sharpens the eyes. I thought it would suit you."
Dimis said nothing. He lifted the cup with both hands and took a small sip.
The tea tasted slightly bitter at first, but a lingering sweetness soon took its place.
His eyes narrowed without thinking. He slowly set down the cup and offered sincere praise. "A lingering sweetness and a wonderful aroma. Just as you said, Governor, this is excellent tea!"
"So the intelligence was right. You know a great deal about tea. That's rather unusual for a Goblin."
Dimis's face stiffened, but John made no attempt to hide that he had investigated him. He took a sip from his own cup. "I know little about tea myself, but I've spoken with quite a few people who enjoy it. One thing they've said has stayed with me."
"Tea is like life. The bitterness comes before the sweetness."
Ignoring the flicker in Dimis's eyes, John leaned back and