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Colemenoport

Offices of the

Tree-and-Dragon Trade Mission


Padi read and approved the letter Jes had produced. It was her plan, explained in the accompanying memo, to send the letter to each of the firms on the list provided by the Haven City Business Association, outlining the work to be done, and soliciting contractors. She thought to send this solicitation over her signature as Qe’andra-in-Charge of the Whole Port Audit, unless Trader yos’Galan wished to sign it, as Overseeing Trader.

Padi laughed, and reached to the keyboard, assuring Jes that her letter was both clear and compelling, and that it should absolutely go over her signature.

“I am, as the master trader was before me, willing to assist you in any matter, but I believe I am not so much overseeing your work, as removing myself as an obstacle.”

That done, she turned to the results of the search she had built for the Rimedge Loop, which had returned so many tangled threads that she despaired of sorting them.

Perhaps she ought to simply write to Vanz.

Or . . . perhaps not yet. If the master trader had an interest in the Rim’s Edge Route—but, there, the cat was already out of the bag, if the two routes were, indeed, the same. Had not Captain-Aunt Chasiel set Vanz to study the route? The master trader had shared his hopes for the Redlands with Trader Denobli, who had been Vanz’s master. Trader Denobli, being, according to the master trader, nothing like a fool, had doubtless begun looking about him not only for profit, but for ways to sustain and grow the new-forged business alliance between his Syndicate and Tree-and-Dragon.

No, the route was no secret, however it was rendered. What fell to her was the same duty that had prompted Trader Isfelm.

She opened her mail queue, and addressed a letter to Vanz.

 

My very dear Trader Denobli.

I write, briefly, not to inform you that Master Trader yos’Galan called for a whole port inventory of Colemeno, and immediately removed himself to the Passage on other business, leaving me to oversee the daily work, nor to allow you to know that I will be conducting a formal audit of the Iverson Loop as soon as the necessary qe’andra arrives to assist me, assuming that I pass the certification course.

No, discussion of these events must wait until such time as I may do them full justice, possibly over a bottle or two of wine when next we are in the same port.

Instead, I write to tell you that I have recently seen a chart—a very old chart. Among the routes illustrated is, if my Old Trade has not betrayed me, the Rim’s Edge Route.

I was, naturally, struck by the similarity between what I am assured is a ghost route, and the Loop that you are to reopen.

I do not ask you to give me confidential information. I merely pass on the warning that was given me—to be cautious regarding the markers, and most especially the Jump-point hard by Riley’s Tavern.

 

She paused, considering what else—

The comm chimed.

Padi tapped “receive.”

“Tree-and-Dragon Trade Mission, Trader yos’Galan speaking. Service?”

“Good evening, Trader yos’Galan,” said a warm and welcome voice. “This is Tekelia vesterGranz. May I speak to Padi?”

She laughed.

“Are you studying melant’i?”

“I thought I had best, as it means so much to you. Was my form correct?”

“Perfectly. You might also have said, ‘Hello, Padi; it is Tekelia.’”

“I’ll remember. I wonder—are you free this evening?”

“I’m just finishing a letter. I’m told the qe’andra’s office will be working for some hours yet, but that I need not hold myself at their word. I do need to visit with Lady Selph, but after—”

“After will suit,” Tekelia said. “May I come to pay my respects to the Lady? Or will that be too much company?”

“Surely you know that you are preferred over myself. Also, I believe her to be quite capable of sending one or both of us off, should we prove—”

She stopped, caught by a notion.

“Do you know?” she said. “I think she would welcome a visit from Eet, if that might be possible? She did elect to stay, rather than rejoin her cuddle on the Passage, but I know she is lonely. Father made her a rag doll, but I daresay it isn’t the same.”

“I’ll see if Eet is at liberty. How will we arrange ourselves?”

“I’ll finish my letter and go home,” Padi said. “If Lady Selph is receiving, then I will—I will whisper,” she said, feeling her cheeks warm.

She felt a shiver of laughter inside her head, even as Tekelia said gravely, “That sounds like an excellent plan. I will await your whisper.”

The call ended.

Smiling, Padi turned back to her screen, and read what she had written.

It was well, she decided; she had done honor to Trader Isfelm’s concern, shown care for her business partner, and her friend, and hinted only very lightly that she was willing to learn more.

She leaned to the keyboard again.

 

Take good care, Vanz.

Padi

 

Two taps sent it into the queue to be uploaded to the Passage, from which it would be dispatched.

Padi shut down the screen, and crossed the room to get her jacket.


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Framed