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Colemenoport

Offices of the

Tree-and-Dragon Trade Mission


Mist swirled briefly by the door, melting around the figures of three persons.

This sudden advent did nothing to disturb the pair at the desk, one intent on the other, and that one intent on her screen.

“Under terms of partnership,” the one in the chair said, “Tree-and-Dragon will be junior to the kezlBlythe Syndicate, and will pass all its business and financials through the syndicate.”

“The master trader will not sign that,” said the one at the screen, even as her fingers moved over the keyboard.

“The master trader doesn’t have to sign it,” said the woman in the chair. “It will be enough that the trader signs it, and you may be certain that she will.”

Padi twitched forward, was restrained by Zeni gorminAstir’s hand on her shoulder.

“Have you finished that yet?” demanded Zandir kezlBlythe.

“It must be in the proper form, or it will be rejected by the Guild,” Jes said, her eyes on the screen.

Her fingers moved for another minute, and stopped.

“Percentages,” kezlBlythe said. “kezlBlythe will award Tree-and-Dragon thirty-five percent of gross. Tree-and-Dragon will be invoiced for the services of the kezlBlythe Syndicate at a discounted rate.”

“The master trader will not sign that,” Jes said, her fingers beginning to move again on the keyboard.

“And nor will I!” Padi snapped, unable to tolerate anything further.

Zandir kezlBlythe leapt to her feet and spun to face her.

“You will acknowledge me your master!” she stated.

Padi felt the ambient shudder, and Saw a dark wave rising up in that space just behind her eyes where she heard Tekelia and Lady Selph.

She slammed her shields shut, but the wave continued, hot, sticky—

And gone, melting away in a swirl of dancing ribbons.

“I don’t think so,” Tekelia said, and Padi saw the self-same iron-grey field form around Zandir kezlBlythe as the Warden had placed around Jorey kezlBlythe.

“Well done,” said Zeni gorminAstir.

Zandir kezlBlythe made a sound of fury, but Padi darted past her to Jes, who was still typing.

“Jes,” she said, grasping the other woman’s wrists. “You can stop.”

“No,” Jes said, her fingers continuing to move, despite Padi’s grip. “I cannot. Not until I’ve put what she’s told me into proper form.” She took a shuddering breath, and Padi saw the tears running her cheeks. “The recorder is on.”

“Good,” Padi said, releasing her. “You’ve done well.”

She turned to look at Zeni gorminAstir, still at the back of the room.

“If you please, open the door. I believe that there are security officers on the other side, and also Dyoli. I very much want Dyoli. And the security officers have my leave to take that person away!”


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Framed