Colemenoport
Wayfarer
“Good day to you, Trader Padi! How do you go on?”
“No, surely, that is for me to ask!” she protested. “How are you, Father?”
“Tolerably well, my child. Lina has of course scolded me. Keriana has made some tests, and promises that she will make more. Priscilla has ransomed herself to Lina so that I might speak with you, and hear all your news. So, tell me, are you well?”
“Yes, of course,” Padi said, somewhat surprised. “I should tell you that Tekelia’s Aunt Asta did the kindness of Sorting me.”
“Did she, indeed? And what did she find?”
“She counsels me to train as a Healer, as I have sufficient of that Talent to be good and useful. Also, I have Foresight, though not enough, she says, to disturb my peace. For the rest of it, she thinks I may bear a new Gift. It is at least nothing quite like she has Seen before. She would have me be a very strong multi-Talent, and to her Sight, I am Haosa—able to interact directly with the ambient, with no need to build tools to focus my will.”
She paused, and added, “At the moment, the apparent best use of my Gift is that I center Tekelia.”
There was silence, longer, Padi thought, than lag could account for.
“Aunt Asta tells me, as you have yourself, that we are not our Gifts, and that I have a long and interesting discovery before me.”
“I see. I will, I think, wish to call upon Tekelia’s aunt, to thank her for her service to us.”
“She would welcome that. Indeed, she wishes that Priscilla might come to her, when it is convenient. She feels she owes an apology.”
“Well, then, we will make a party of it!” Father said gaily. “How does Tekelia go on?”
“As ever, I think. It will perhaps comfort you to know that Tekelia does not believe we are lifemated, only that we dance together . . . more intimately . . . than those others Tekelia dances with. And, do you know, that may be my Gift in action.”
“So it may. What interesting developments, to be sure. I look forward to your explorations and discoveries.”
Padi frowned at the comm, but before she could ask what troubled him, he spoke again.
“May the master trader inquire into the progress of the whole port inventory?”
“Yes, certainly. Jes and Dyoli are even now instructing the eight interested accountants in the subtleties of sorting the raw data we are already receiving from vendors on-port. A solicitation letter has been sent to the suggested firms in the city, and Jes is confident of a similar outpouring of support.”
“This sounds like excellent progress,” the master trader said. “And on the trade-side?”
“The port inventory seems to have cast trade into the shade,” Padi said. “I have a few appointments today. Yesterday’s most notable transaction was supplied by Trader Isfelm, who has found the old charts she had spoken to you about. She supplies a data-key, gratis. She also showed me the flat chart from which the copy on the key was taken. The tale is that it had been purchased by Can Ith yos’Phelium, who had an eye on the routes around Tinsori, for trade. It is presently in our office safe, and Trader Isfelm has given port-rate for storage.”
“Well! Please send the data from the key to me. What does Trader Isfelm wish for the flat chart?”
“She would offer it to the master trader as an antiquity, sir.”
“I see. If she is content to leave it in our safe, I will look at it when I return to port,” he said. “I expect that the data-key will provide what I may need.”
“Yes, sir,” Padi said. “I have . . . additional information.”
“Do you? Please, Trader Padi, enlighten me.”
“I recently had a letter from Trader Vanz Denobli, telling me, in part, that upon achieving his garnet, and a daughter’s share, he was given to study the Rimedge Loop, which had long been closed due to Dust, for a possible reopening. Trader Isfelm’s chart details, among other things, the Rim’s Edge Route.”
She thought she heard the master trader say, very softly, “Ah.”
“I have written to Vanz, sir, telling him about this chart, passing on Trader Isfelm’s caution that it is not a navigation tool. The trader gave me to know that the star that nourished Riley’s Tavern had long ago become unstable, but there has been no recent word of the Jump-point, hard by, doubtless because of the Dust.”
“Doubtless so. Very well, then, Trader. I have no interest in the flat chart. I suggest, but do not insist, that it may make a handsome present from you to Trader Vanz, to celebrate his recent successes.”
Padi raised her eyebrows.
“It might, at that,” she said. “I will speak with Trader Isfelm.”
“Excellent. Is there anything else I should know, Trader Padi? Have you a need for the master trader’s counsel on any topic?”
“At the moment, I think not,” she said. “All must await the outcome of the inventory, and Qe’andra dea’Tolin has that well in hand.”
“To show Qe’andra dea’Tolin a challenge is to see her rise to meet it. Truly, she is an inspiration to us all.”
“Not only has she risen to meet it, she is bearing Dyoli and Mar Tyn with her.”
“As it should be. Now, Daughter, I am wanted very soon in sick bay for the rest of those tests. Have you told Dyoli that your Sorting shows a significant Talent for Healing?”
“Truly, sir, I have had no opportunity. I do expect to see her at nuncheon.”
“Do, then, inform her. She may be able to give you some advice, or—forgive me!—exercises, so that you do not inadvertently use your Gift. Understand, this has to do with the action of Colemeno’s ambient, rather than any doubt of your control.”
“I do understand,” Padi told him. “I’ll speak with Dyoli.”
“Splendid. I look forward to our next scheduled hour. Be well, Padi.”
“Be well, Father.”