Colemenoport
Port Market Offices
“Trader ven’Deelin, we thank you for the gift of your expertise. You have given us much to think upon.”
Chief Expediter rooBios looked around the room, slowly, making certain he made eye contact with each of the twelve persons who had attended Dyoli’s presentation.
“May we dare to hope that you will return to us, once we have assimilated the information you presented to us today?”
“I am at your service, sir,” Dyoli said, with a slight bow. She, too, glanced ’round the table, though not so intensely as the chief expediter had done. “I believe this meeting is only the beginning of a long and mutually profitable relationship.”
“So do we hope, as well,” Chief Expediter rooBios said. “Allow me to escort you to the security station.”
* * *
They had walked to the market that morning with Grad, who had left them in the care of Port Market Security for the day. Now that the day was done, Mar Tyn supposed that they would return to the Wayfarer together, perhaps escorted by one of the Market security officers.
He himself saw very little need for a security escort on Colemenoport, which, by his standards, was rather staid. However, the master trader had been involved in a desperate portside event prior to the time when Mar Tyn and Dyoli had joined the ship. Not much was said about it, only that it had ended with a member of the security team dead, and the master trader badly wounded. The remaining security persons were on their mettle, and they were determined that none of the trade mission should suffer the least inconvenience, much less face actual danger.
“I leave you here in Krai’s care, and again, I thank you both for the gift of your expertise.”
Expediter rooBios bowed again, and left them.
Krai, tall and lean, looked up from his screen with a smile.
“Trader, Serendipitist. Going back to the Wayfarer?”
“Actually,” Dyoli said, and Mar Tyn felt a shiver in the air between them. “My partner and I would like to find a quiet glass of wine and perhaps a meal before we return to the Wayfarer. Might you recommend an appropriate restaurant?”
Krai’s eyebrows rose, and Dyoli inclined her head.
“Understand that we don’t mean to keep you standing by while we enjoy ourselves. Master pai’Fortana and I were only just remarking how very calm and orderly is Colemenoport. Surely, we will be in no danger for an hour or two over a meal?”
“We don’t get much trouble,” Krai admitted. “Though trouble can happen anywhere.”
“Understood,” Dyoli said, and glanced at Mar Tyn. “We are not without defenses.”
“Hmm.” Krai narrowed his eyes, glanced at his screen, and looked back to them with a smile.
“I believe the solution to this riddle is Zephyr’s Edge Lounge,” he said. “One of our own works security there during the evening hours. In fact, she will have just come on duty. Let me give her a call, so she is aware of who you are, and to find the state of the venue this evening.” He raised a hand.
“It is a very safe restaurant in the very calmest part of the port. We don’t expect trouble, but we do prepare for it.”
“Yes,” Mar Tyn said, and Krai smiled at him.
“Only a moment.” He stood and went to the comm unit at the back of the room.
Mar Tyn turned to Dyoli.
“What is happening?” he murmured.
“I don’t quite know,” she answered. “Not a Seeing, but the air is unsettled. Do you feel it?”
“I do,” he admitted, and shivered when Dyoli slipped her hand into his. Her fingers were cold, but there was an electricity in her touch that was notable, though it was not exactly the feeling they shared when they were about to . . . interface with the future.
“The thing’s done!” Krai announced, coming to them. “Brit will be aware, but will not interfere with your privacy. I’ll call Grad, to let him know our arrangements. It would possibly relieve his feelings if you called him for an escort home, when you’re finished.”
“Thank you for your care,” Dyoli said.
“You’re very welcome, Trader. Thank you for reminding us that there’s a line between protection and oppression. I’ll escort you to the Zephyr and then, I swear, I’ll leave you in peace.”