You will return to us, Trader Keedair? A greedy glint illuminated the darkness behind the indigo of his eyes. If you request more melange, I will be happy to provide it for you. We could come to an extended agreement.
 
Keedair grunted noncommittally, unwilling to give the man too much hope for a future business relationship. Depends on whether I can sell this load for a profit. Spice is an unproven commodity in the League, and I'm taking a big enough risk as it is. He drew himself up. But we've agreed on a deal for this load, and I am always true to my word.
 
He paid Dhartha the remaining amount. If I return, it will be many months from now, perhaps a year. If I lose money, I won't come back at all. Dismissively, he scanned the grimy spaceport, the desert, and the craggy mountains. Not that there is anything else to bring me back to Arrakis.
 
Dhartha looked him squarely in the eye. No one can know the future, Trader Keedair. Their deal consummated, the desert leader bowed and stepped back. The white-clad nomads watched Keedair like vultures eyeing a dying animal, waiting to pick apart the corpse?