On-Grid
Colemeno Historical Society
“Scholars, allow me to make you known to Priscilla Delacroix y Mendoza, captain of the tradeship Dutiful Passage, which has brought to us the Tree-and-Dragon Trade Mission,” Portmaster krogerSlyte murmured. She moved a hand in a stylized wave, as if she were connecting Priscilla and the scholars.
“Captain Mendoza, here are Akame sereWai, Historian, and Brun rodaMildin, Sociologist.”
“Scholars, I am honored,” Priscilla said politely, inclining her head.
“A member of the Tree-and-Dragon Trade Mission,” said Scholar sereWai. “Surely, it is we who are honored. What say you, Brun?”
“I say that ideally honor flows both ways,” the sociologist said with the same cool amusement she had bestowed upon the more bombastic of the historian’s declarations, on-stage.
“Did you enjoy the dialogue, Captain Mendoza?” she asked.
“Very much,” Priscilla said truthfully. “I am not as conversant with the removal of the Talents from Liad as I should perhaps be, so I am grateful to Scholar sereWai for expanding my knowledge of that event. Also, Scholar rodaMildin, your account of the joining of the newcomers with established families, and the melding of surnames, to give honor to each, was illuminating.”
She smiled. “Traders come to worlds and customs as they are. We are very seldom given a glimpse into the events responsible for those customs.”
A server came by just then, offering wine or juice. The scholars chose wine, with enthusiasm. Priscilla took a cup of juice, and after a small hesitation, Portmaster krogerSlyte did as well.
“While the attention of historians is so often focused in the past that the present quite passes us by,” said Scholar sereWai.
“Which is why you have partnered with a sociologist,” said Scholar rodaMildin. She turned to eye Priscilla.
“While we’re speaking of novelties, I may be the first sociologist to have access—your pardon, Captain; I am a scholar, and this is how we speak. We don’t mean to be rude, only direct.”
“I understand,” Priscilla assured her solemnly.
“Excellent! Directly, then, I am the first sociologist in more than two hundred Standards to have access to a team of persons from outside of our closed group.”
“Hardly closed,” objected Scholar sereWai. “Colemeno has trade.”
“Indeed it has.” Scholar rodaMildin waved her wineglass at him. “However, we have had trade with the same groups for quite some time. Where we do not intersect, our societies, cultures, and mores vary widely. But, where we do intersect—at the port, and in the market, we have created a culture that is known and manipulated by both—”
“I believe I have read this book,” Scholar sereWai interrupted.
“I believe you have,” Scholar rodaMildin agreed blandly. She turned back to Priscilla.
“I wonder if we might keep in touch, Captain? Ideally, I would like to interview you before you become much further acquainted with us, then at intervals until it is time for you to leave us. May I impose upon you so much?”
“I’m certainly willing to see if we can make it work. Must the interviews be in-person?”
“I would prefer so, but I may be able to devise a hybrid system, in order to not overburden either your time or your patience. Let me think on it. May I contact you—through our good friend the portmaster, perhaps?”
Priscilla fingered a card out of her pocket.
“Here is my contact information, locally.”
“Splendid! You will hear from me, never doubt it. I would enjoy speaking further just now, but sereWai has seen his editor, and I must circulate or my department chair will be arriving to lead me forcibly away.”
She swayed into a bow.
“Portmaster, always a pleasure—and thank you for bringing such an interesting guest! Coming, sereWai?”
The scholars left them. Priscilla sipped her juice and looked about the room.
“Is there anyone else I may introduce you to?” asked Portmaster krogerSlyte.
“I am sure the room is full of interesting people,” Priscilla said, “but I’ve been too long at pleasure. Perhaps another time.”
“It would be my honor to escort you at any time, to any event you choose, Captain Mendoza. Please allow me to see you to your train.”
“Thank you,” Priscilla said. They surrendered their empty glasses to a server, and left the reception hall.
“I should tell you,” Priscilla said, as they walked across the sky bridge to the platform. “We will be bringing down two more crew members—our third mate, who was for a time a yard master, and our ship’s qe’andra, who will, under the master trader’s direction, be conducting a whole port inventory.”
Portmaster krogerSlyte stopped in the middle of the walk and turned to gaze up at her.
“A whole port inventory!” she exclaimed. “The master trader—he is encouraged by what he sees—but of course, he must be! This is welcome news, Captain!”
“The master trader wishes to proceed properly,” Priscilla murmured.
“Yes, yes, of course.” The portmaster closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and smiled.
“I have much confidence in the master trader’s ability to proceed properly,” she said. “But these additional crew—they will wish their own living space. I will open more rooms around your common hall. Also, I will open an adjacent suite of offices, for the qe’andra’s use. If there is anything else I can do for you or the trade mission, please do not hesitate to ask me.”
“Thank you,” Priscilla said. “You are very good to us.”
“Nonsense! I’m only looking out for my port. And now I fear we must hurry—that rumble is the train coming in.”