Colemenoport
Offices of Tree-and-Dragon Trade Mission
The wine had been tasted and pronounced fitting. Padi brought out cheese, crackers, cake, and nuts. Eventually, the glasses were refreshed and Mar Tyn carried the empty plates into the kitchen.
“We must not give ourselves wholly over to pleasure,” Jes said, smiling ’round the table. “It’s true that we have completed our report, and made our recommendations. The master trader, however, may require clarity on some point or another. Therefore, we must hold ourselves ready.”
Dyoli laughed.
“Holding ready is several levels down from where we have been operating these weeks,” she pointed out. “I believe a nap may be called for, unless you think the master trader will need clarity within the next few hours?”
Jes tipped her head consideringly.
“I think we may dare a few hours of…light-time. I’m thinking along the lines of a walk through the Wayfarer’s garden, and then a nap!”
“Always ambitious,” Mar Tyn murmured surprisingly, and Jes turned her smile on him.
“Be grateful, Master pai’Fortana, that I do not in this instance require similar ambition from my ’prentice.” She finished her wine and set the glass aside. “Though I do expect us to meet after Prime, on the topic of inventory and costs of merchandise.”
“I look forward to our session,” Mar Tyn said calmly, and Jes’s smile this time was speculative.
“You have gotten bold since our first lesson.”
He inclined his head.
“What can I say, but that accounting suits me?”
“Now, that,” Dyoli announced, reaching for the bottle and dividing what was left between their four glasses, “is worthy of a toast, indeed!”
* * *
Padi had shown her guests to the door and was considering the wisdom of closing her office in solidarity. A glance at the calendar confirmed that she had no meetings until late the next day, which, she thought, would need to be canceled.
For it suddenly struck her, what it meant that the final Whole Port Inventory had been sent to the master trader. She and Tekelia were expected aboard the Passage.
Even as she turned toward the comm, it chimed, announcing an incoming call.
She tapped “receive.”
“Tree-and-Dragon Trade Mission, Trader yos’Galan speaking. Service?”
“Hello, Padi,” Tekelia said.
“I was just about to call you with the news,” she said.
“What news?”
“Jes has only an hour ago released the final inventory to the master trader. You and I, therefore, must lift. That is, if you are still of a mind to experience ship life.”
“I am! Are we lifting now?”
“We have twelve hours before the best window. I need to speak with Dil Nem, who will be accompanying us.”
“Would it be wrong of me to ask you to come to the village potluck this evening?”
“I will be piloting tomorrow,” Padi said.
“And it will be prudent for you to have slept before you do; I understand. I swear that I will extract us in good time. And, you know, my bag is already packed.”
“And mine,” Padi said. “Very well, the potluck it is! Will I meet you there?”
“Come to the Tree House. Blays is here and we can all three go together.”
“All right. Let me make some calls, and change my clothes.”