Fifteen Silver Coins

"We've got usual cargo to send to a village in the south. And before you start theorizing, it's way off the path merchants usually take, so yes, it is profitable, and no, I'm not dealing with shady shit." 

Ali Baba leaned forward, hands clasped together.

"Now that I've alleviated your worries, let's talk about something you're more interested in. Coin. You're a strong fighter, true? A Magi. It shows."

Malik shrugged.

"I get by."

Ali Baba grinned.

"Modesty is rare in your kind. I like it."

He tilted his head slightly.

"So, what do you think your services are worth?"

Malik knew the game, or at least believed that he did.

Whoever named a number first would set a precedent for the rest of the negotiation, and if the one who did that had accidentally lowballed it, they'd be nearly guaranteed to get the short end of the stick.

So instead, he shrugged again.

"You tell me."