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Colemenoport

Wayfarer


“Do I learn that your meetings produced an ‘incident,’ Trader?” the master trader asked, as he settled behind his desk.

Padi sighed.

“I believe it is more accurate to say that my own inattention and antipathy to cake produced an incident,” she said, sinking into the side chair. There was an ache just behind her eyes, as if she had bruised the inside of her head.

“If Majel ziaGorn hadn’t come by to see you, recognized my state, and swept me off for a meal, I don’t know what might have happened. I am ashamed to own that, left to myself, I probably would not have thought of cake, as I hadn’t extended myself, particularly.” She paused, considering that last sentence.

“Unless exercising patience counts.”

“Did you exercise prodigious amounts of patience? I swear to you that they all seemed convenable, in correspondence.”

She laughed, and lifted her hands, showing empty palms.

“And so they were . . . mostly. Shall you like a report now?”

“If you find it convenient,” he said politely. “May I give you something to drink?”

“If you please, a glass of the white.”

“Done.”

He crossed the room. Padi closed her eyes and reviewed a simple board rest exercise. When she opened her eyes, the master trader had resumed his seat.

“If it is not perfectly convenient to report now, I will make time later,” he said, bringing his glass to his lips.

Padi reached for her own glass, sipped, and looked up at him.

“I think it had better be now,” she said. “Though I may cry off for an hour or two, after.”

“Self-care is very important,” he said solemnly. “So I am told.”

“I have heard the same,” she agreed, matching his tone, “from a source that I consider impeccable.” She had another sip of wine and put the glass aside.

“So—my report, if you will, Master Trader. I will of course forward my notes, and other information entrusted to me to your screen.”

“Of course. Please proceed, Trader.”

“Yes. My first meeting was with Merchant vellaTon, representing the vellaTon Manufactory, and was most informative. She had order and fulfillment records from before the Dust arrived, which she thought might be of use, going forward. She did need to teach me what it was that vellaTon manufactured, and current markets must be researched, but in all, it was a satisfying and productive meeting. I found Merchant vellaTon to be sensible and meticulous. We share a connection with Saru bernRoanti at the port market.”

She paused.

The master trader inclined his head.

“The second meeting was with Merchant zerKilin. He was altogether eager, wished to know if Tree-and-Dragon would be establishing a co-op, and what the fee structures might be.”

The master trader laughed.

“Yes sir, and so I told him. He eventually found himself able to agree that it was best to allow the trade team time to work, so that we might all know the answers to his questions. He promises to have his records in perfect order and available to Jes immediately she calls for them. He will also be sending a case of wine and another, of juice, to the trade team’s office, of his kindness.”

She sipped her wine.

“He was perfectly well mannered and convenable, after we managed to ford his enthusiasm,” she added. She leaned back in her chair, and closed her eyes.

“And the third meeting?” the master trader prompted.

Padi opened her eyes, and sat up straighter.

“Your pardon,” she murmured.

“The third meeting was with Zandir kezlBlythe of Haven City. Very high in the instep. She was put out at first; it seems she had determined that she would sign an agreement with the master trader today, which of course was not possible. I think that she may be quite accustomed to getting her way.”

She paused, weighing her next words.

“She sold hard. Her theme was that it will be necessary for the master trader to have good contacts in the city, in order to succeed at the port. She allowed me to know that the master trader will need friends on the Council, and that she is able to deliver those friends to him. She also said that she will connect the trade team with a network of highly-qualified qe’andra and accountants in the city.”

She paused, closing her eyes again, briefly, feeling quite disoriented.

Really, she was exhausted, despite Bell’s care and the nuncheon she had just eaten.

She opened her eyes, and took a breath.

“I was to tell the master trader particularly that it will be very much to his advantage to call on Luzant kezlBlythe in the city, so that a mutually beneficial business agreement may be made.”

She paused, noting that her headache had eased somewhat.

“She left quite soon after. I was sitting quietly, attempting to recruit myself, when Majel ziaGorn arrived, wanting to speak to you, and thereby brought me to Bell—oh!”

She sat up suddenly, bringing herself up short.

“When we arrived at the Skywise, it was to find that mischief had been carried out against the premises. Port Security was present. Bell swept me off to feed me, while Councilor ziaGorn dealt with the officers on her behalf. I never found what he had wanted to speak with you about, Master Trader. Forgive me.”

“I will call him,” the master trader said, as her father shook his head.

“You are wilting before my eyes, Child. Have you business on port today?”

“No, sir,” Padi said. “I had thought to hold myself at the master trader’s word.”

“And as you have heard, the master trader awaits the outcome of the qe’andra’s work. It is perfectly possible that I will also rest, after I have called Councilor ziaGorn.”

Padi nodded. “The information that the ambient exercises our Gifts constantly . . . ” she began.

“Is disquieting in the extreme,” Father finished. “We will talk of it later. Indeed, I mean to speak with Priscilla, and also write to Lina. But you, my child, will go and rest. Now.”

“Yes, sir,” said Padi gratefully, and left him.


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Framed