Colemenoport
Offices of the
Tree-and-Dragon Trade Mission
Dyoli looked up when Mar Tyn entered the workroom, murmured something to the man she had been sitting next to, rose, and came forward to take his arm, and pull him to the side.
“What is it, my Mar Tyn?”
“Zandir kezlBlythe has come to speak with Qe’andra dea’Tolin,” he said. “She tried, I think, to Influence me, but my Luck was before her. She also told me to go away.”
“But you were already moving,” Dyoli said, and took a hard breath, eyes widening. “We cannot leave Jes with that person.”
She spun toward the door. Mar Tyn caught her arm.
“We need backup,” he said.
Dyoli took a deep breath, deliberately quelling her panic.
“Very wise. Do you call the portmaster. If she is not available, then the market manager—”
She turned to the accountant she had been working with.
“Of your kindness, call Port Security. There is an emergency at the Tree-and-Dragon offices.”
“Yes.” He pulled a comm from his pocket.
Dyoli looked out over the room.
“We have learned that there is a person who has been targeting those who work, or who would work, for the Tree-and-Dragon mission, either threatening or otherwise convincing them that they ought not do so,” she said. “We do not know if this person has accomplices. We do know that she previously tried to harm Trader yos’Galan. You are under no obligation to face personal danger. You may leave, without penalty. We will—”
Someone stood up from the back.
“Persuader can’t do much with a crowd,” she said. “It’s a one-on-one talent. If all of us stay together, there’s more danger for the Persuader than for us.” She looked around the room.
“Who’s for leaving?”
No one spoke.
Dyoli bowed slightly.
“Thank you.”
“The portmaster is on her way to the qe’andra’s office,” Mar Tyn said.