Gem 

Adaz sat on a milestone, examining her new necklace in the bright 
sunlight.  
	"Tomorrow we'll turn north.  I don't care to try Celene's 
border guard and we are not going through that forest anywhere else; I 
don't know the trails and it is too dangerous."  At Sutekh's last 
words Adaz looked down from her perch, brow arched, curious as to what 
Sutekh would consider too dangerous.  "We'll go around it to the 
north.  That will leave us a few days northwest of Greyhawk.  Except 
for the hills north of the forest, the way is fairly easy.  Somewhat 
lacking in roads and inns, but easy enough."  
	"Well, don't look to me for help navigating.  Outside my maze 
of city streets I'm lost."  Adaz smiled and dangled her necklace in 
front of Sutekh, who was seated on the ground with his back against 
the stone.  "Not bad.  Maybe 500 orbs in Greyhawk.  I'm not very good
with whole pieces of jewelry.  I usually have to break them down 
before selling them."  
	"How are you with gems?" Sutekh asked as he took the necklace.  
Withdrawing his gnome-given diamond from a pouch, he tossed it into 
the air.  Adaz caught the sparkle and began to study it.  After a
lengthy examination, she leaned over Sutekh and lowered one hand
before him, presenting the diamond on the collected points of two
fingers and a thumb.  
	"Dear," she said sharply, "I don't have a glass to examine
this properly, but I believe those little gnomes gave you a jewel
worth ten times my necklace."  
	Sutekh stared at the gem, shocked.  His head dropped forward 
as he laughed, then he looked at the gem again.  Finally he leaned his 
head back onto the milestone, looking up at Adaz.  "Don't worry," he 
said apologetically.  "I'll share."  
	"No need," she replied with a smile.  
	"You're sure?" 
	Having her mind set on other things, Adaz was not interested 
in money; she knew Sutekh would give her what she needed.  Leaning 
over even farther, she gave Sutekh a quick kiss and set the diamond on 
his lips.  
	"Quite," she said.  
	Sutekh held the diamond up to the sun and shook it, causing it 
to flash in the light.  Then he tossed it inside his blouse and stood.  
"Come on.  Let's get back on the road."  


						Jeff Stehman