Colemenoport
Wayfarer
It was a comfortable room, large enough to accommodate a desk, screen, comm, and other accouterments of business on one side; bed, wardrobe, and reading chair on the other.
Between those two zones was a window to the outside. Before the window was a table. On it was a…construct of a slightly fanciful design. The front walls and the crenelated rooftop were transparent at the front, shading to opaque at the back, giving the impression of public rooms and private.
To call this construction a cage would be to do it, and its inhabitant, a severe disservice. Certainly, it was meant to guard its resident from the outside world, but equally it was meant to protect the outside world.
Locally, it was known as “Lady Selph’s Residence,” and this evening the lady herself was visible just inside the front wall, sitting dignified and tall, ears perked in an attitude of attention.
Mist swirled at the center of the room.
Lady Selph sat taller, front paws folded over the furry mound of her belly.
The mist swirled more tightly, thickened—and dissipated, leaving behind four persons. Two were tall—one dark, one fair—and two were small, very similar in shape and face.
“Here we are,” Padi said, releasing Tekelia’s hand before freeing Vaiza.
Tekelia slid a bag from one shoulder and offered it to Torin, who accepted it with a smile before looking inside.
“Eet,” she said, “we’re here.”
Vaiza spun on his heel, and stopped, facing the residence and the dignified lady there.
“Is that her—Lady Selph? She’s beautiful,” he whispered loudly.
“Oh.” Torin came to his side, and made a little bow. “Lady Selph, hello.” She glanced down at the bag, from which a furry striped head was now protruding. “Eet told us about you.”
Lady Selph trilled, and Eet answered, scrabbling a little against the bag.
“It seems that Eet and Lady Selph would like to speak together privately, while we share a meal with others of your team,” Tekelia said, and looked to Padi. “Do I have that correctly?”
“You do. I’ll call down for a fresh tray, if you’ll help Eet get settled.”
She went to the comm. Tekelia ushered the children and Eet to the residence.
By the time the tray had arrived, Eet and Lady Selph had gone deeper into the residence. Padi placed the tray at the food station inside, made sure the fountain was flowing freely, and that the water in the pool was clean and plentiful.
When she was done, she locked the door to the residence, and sat back on her heels to look at the twins.
“Do you have any questions, before we go to the other room?” she asked.
“No, thank you,” Torin said politely.
“Will Warden Bentamin be there?” Vaiza asked.
“No, only members of the Tree-and-Dragon Trade Team, and not all of us. This evening, I believe we will have, in addition to ourselves, Dil Nem Tiazan, Dyoli ven’Deelin, and Mar Tyn pai’Fortana.”
The twins exchanged a glance.
Padi met Tekelia’s eyes over their heads. The twins had previously agreed to share the meal, but if there was a failure of courage now, the four of them could certainly picnic in the garden on the Wayfarer’s roof.
She felt Tekelia agree with this alternate plan, and had just drawn breath to suggest it aloud, when Vaiza took Torin’s hand.
“We said that we would,” he said. “And I’m sure they’re nice people. They won’t let Cousin Jorey in.”
“Indeed, we will not!” Padi said with feeling. “My best knowledge is that Jorey kezlBlythe is restrained in the Wardian. In addition, he is absolutely not invited to share anything with us, and I will personally show him the door, should he arrive.”
Vaiza leaned closer to his sister.
“She can do that,” he whispered loudly. “We saw her.”
Torin laughed, which was not so usual a thing for Torin, and looked up at Padi.
“In that case,” she said, sounding considerably older than her eight Standards, “my brother and I will be glad to share a meal with the Tree-and-Dragon Trade Team.”
* * *
Padi had previously given the team notice that there would be guests, so there was no surprise when she brought Tekelia and the children into the common room.
Tekelia was well-known to everyone present, and had even managed to inveigle Dil Nem into informality, which was proved now, as that gentleman inclined his head with evident delight.
“Tekelia,” he said, “well-met.”
“Dil Nem, it’s good to see you,” Tekelia answered.
“And these are?” Dil Nem inquired, looking at the twins.
“These,” Tekelia said obligingly, “are Torin xinRood and Vaiza xinRood. They escorted Eet to his meeting with Lady Selph, and will be speaking with her themselves a little later.
“Torin, Vaiza—here is Dil Nem Tiazan, a member of the Tree-and-Dragon Trade Team.”
“Dil Nem is third mate on our ship, Dutiful Passage,” Padi added.
Dil Nem bowed with grave formality. “I am pleased to make the acquaintance of Torin and Vaiza xinRood.”
The twins bowed in their turn—and Vaiza said, “Good meeting, sir.”
Padi turned as Dyoli and Mar Tyn approached.
“Here are Dyoli ven’Deelin and Mar Tyn pai’Fortana. Dyoli and Mar Tyn, I bring Torin and Vaiza xinRood to your attention.”
Mar Tyn smiled. “Good meeting,” he said.
Dyoli took a step forward, and bowed lightly, in the Colemeno style.
“Good meeting, Torin and Vaiza xinRood,” she said, straightening with a smile. “We are cousins, you know.”
The twins exchanged a glance, not entirely unworried. Given the class of cousins they had been accustomed to, Padi allowed that a certain wariness was merely prudent.
“Cousins?” asked Torin. “But you’re not from Colemeno.”
“I am from Liad,” Dyoli admitted. “Some of the ancestors of the people who now live on Colemeno came from Liad.”
“We learned that in school,” Torin admitted, though she was still frowning.
“I admit that it is a distant connection, but I would not be averse to pursuing it, if you would like it, as well.”
“I would like to hear more,” Torin said, and looked to Vaiza. “Brother?”
“I think it would be interesting to be cousins with someone from another world,” Vaiza said, and looked past Dyoli to Mar Tyn.
“Are you our cousin, too, sir?”
“I very much doubt it,” he answered. “However, I stand on no ceremony with friends. I wonder if you would call me Mar Tyn, as my other friends do.”
Padi stood quietly, watching. Dyoli was a Healer, after all. The twins were orphans; their mother and her partner murdered by the same cousin Jorey who had recently tried to kill them. She must have Seen the children’s distress. And while the care of the Haosa was not to be discounted, to have kin—or at least someone standing as kin—might go somewhat toward easing them.
“I’ll call you Mar Tyn,” Vaiza stated, “and you’ll call me Vaiza.”
“Done!” Mar Tyn said. “Shall we drink on it?”
Vaiza hesitated, glancing at Torin. Something passed between them, though Padi could not have said what, and Vaiza stepped toward Mar Tyn.
“Yes, let’s! Do you have lemonade?”
“The kitchen just now sent up a fresh bottle. It’s over here on the tray,” Mar Tyn said, leading the way.
Torin looked at Dyoli.
“You’re a Healer, Tekelia told us.”
“That is correct,” Dyoli said. “Do you require Healing?”
“I don’t know,” Torin said, and turned to look at Tekelia, who was in close conversation with Dil Nem. “The Haosa treat us well. They protect us and—and Vaiza likes it very much, off-Grid. Only, it’s—I’m so tired. I don’t think I was, before. Even when I was helping Vaiza. Can you Heal me of being tired?”
“Perhaps,” Dyoli said seriously. “First, you and I will need to discover why you are tired. I can Scan you briefly, with your permission, to find if there is anything obvious.”
Torin straightened. “Yes, please. I give my permission.”
Padi stepped back to Tekelia’s side to give Dyoli and Torin at least the illusion of privacy.
“Wine, Padi?” Dil Nem asked.
“Thank you. The white, if you please.”
He moved in the direction of the tray, and Padi turned to Tekelia, who had already been supplied with a glass of the red.
“Will the Haosa object to Dyoli Scanning Torin?” she murmured.
“No, how could we? Torin asked for herself; there was no coercion. And we both know Dyoli for a deft and patient practitioner.”
“Being our teacher, as she is,” Padi said, and turned with a smile as Dil Nem arrived with her glass.
“We seldom see Dil Nem at Prime,” she said, for Tekelia’s benefit. “Are you in disgrace, Cousin?”
“In fact, my task is complete,” Dil Nem said. He glanced at Tekelia. “It’s been my part to study the shipyard and its systems and give advice on how to bring it into the modern era.”
“Was that interesting?” Tekelia asked, perhaps lightly.
“In fact, it was,” Dil Nem answered seriously. “It’s no ordinary thing to tour a working yard brought intact out of the past. Also, it was a challenge, to find what can be retrofitted, what must be replaced with new, and how to bring it all online to work together. Colemeno Yard has been keeping those ships that come in up to spec and holding air since before the Dust enfolded this section of space—all honor to Yard Master tineMena and her predecessors. The last parts ship was stripped of its final gear cog a decade ago. Now they machine their own.”
“I’d like a tour,” Padi said suddenly.
Dil Nem bowed slightly.
“I can arrange that, but—why?”
“I’m to audit the Iverson Loop, and I suspect that all the yards and repair stations along the route are in similar straits. I ought to know what such a yard looks like when it is working and in good order.”
“That’s not a bad notion,” Dil Nem acknowledged, and looked to Tekelia. “Shall I include you?”
“Yes,” Tekelia said, after a pause. “Ship yards are utterly outside of my experience, so you’ll have much to explain.”
“I am always pleased to amend ignorance,” Dil Nem said, which was what passed for his humor. He sipped his wine, and looked to Padi. “Will tomorrow morning suit you, Trader?”
“It will,” Padi said, “and Jes will thank you, because you know I will only be in her way if I stay at the office.”
“Good to have a qe’andra grateful,” Dil Nem said, and looked to Tekelia. “Is tomorrow morning convenient for you, Speaker?”
“Why, yes, since you’re so good as to invite me.”
A chime sounded from the kitchen area, signaling the arrival of the food lift.
“I will serve,” Padi said. “Tekelia, will you gather the children?”
“I think the twins are in good hands,” Tekelia said, nodding toward the sofa. Dyoli and Torin sat on one end, in close conversation, while Mar Tyn and Vaiza sat on the other, similarly engaged.
“I’ll put our glasses on the table,” Tekelia said, “and help you serve.”
* * *
The meal had been pleasant, the conversation driven by Vaiza’s wish to know what it was like to live on a ship in space, and was it lonely, without gardens or the wind or the sky?
Third Mate Tiazan was able to assure the young gentleman that Dutiful Passage was large enough to accommodate an atrium, where there were flowers and trees. Padi spoke of the hydroponics section, which provided the ship with fresh fruits and vegetables.
“Is the ship its own Grid?” That was Torin’s question, and Padi looked at her thoughtfully.
“In a way, perhaps it is. It may seem very strange to you, but, in most of the places I’ve been—other worlds and other ships—the ambient has been…much less apparent than it is here on Colemeno.”
Torin looked at Tekelia, who turned palms up with a laugh.
“It sounds strange to me, too.”
“And, yet, it’s exactly the case,” Dyoli said. “It’s been quite a challenge for us to learn how to go on under the Grid. I should like one day to go outside, to find what that is like.”
“Easily arranged,” Tekelia said. “Only tell me when you would like to make a visit.”
“I will, thank you.” She looked down-table. “Mar Tyn? Shall you wish to go off the Grid?”
Mar Tyn glanced at Tekelia.
“I wonder what would be the effects,” he said slowly. “I noticed a…difference in my Gift the moment we arrived on Colemeno’s dock.”
“To stand under the free ambient is a risk for all of us who are Gifted,” Tekelia said. “Some find it so noisy that they’re not able to access their own Talent. Others find that the ambient buoys them. If you would like to experience a lack of filter, I would take you to Pacazahno. It’s off-Grid, but the ambient is less boisterous than we have it at Ribbon Dance Village.”
Mar Tyn frowned. “I wonder if you could help me understand something.”
“I’ll try.”
“On Liad, I’m known as a Luck.”
“I See it in you,” Tekelia assured him, and smiled. “The wildest Talent of all.”
Mar Tyn raised his eyes, surprised, Padi thought.
“Under the Grid, I am dignified as a Serendipitist, and the documents I’ve read make the assumption that I am able to…exercise control over my Gift and moderate its action. Lifelong, my experience has been that my Gift overrides my own will and preferences, even to putting my life in danger.”
“But since we’ve been here, on Colemeno,” Dyoli said, “you have been able to foresee the outcome of ceding to your Gift, and moderate its effect.”
Mar Tyn turned his gaze to hers, his face displaying shock.
“That is the difference,” Dyoli said, positively. “You are no longer wholly at the beck of your Talent.”
“The Grid might be working for you in that way,” Tekelia said. “Serendipity isn’t common. To your other point—Civilization insists that every practitioner be in control of their Gift.”
Mar Tyn inclined his head.
“I would like to experience the ambient when it is not filtered,” he said.
“I’ll be happy to be your guide, at a mutually convenient time,” Tekelia said.
“As to that, it will be after the inventory is done—” Mar Tyn started, and turned in his chair to look at the big clock in the foyer. “I regret,” he said, turning back to the table, “I am on-shift with Jes this evening. The last data packets will be coming in.”
He turned to Vaiza. “Duty calls me, but I hope you won’t allow our friendship to languish.” He reached into his sleeve pocket and withdrew a card. “Here is my comm code and my address. I would very much like to hear from you.”
“Thank you,” Vaiza said softly, taking the card and holding it tightly in his hand. “I don’t have a card, and I don’t remember the comm code at Rose Cottage.”
“That’s all right,” Mar Tyn said, “you’ll send it to me in your first letter.”
He got to his feet, bowed to the table, and took Dyoli’s hand in his.
“I have no idea—”
“Of course you don’t,” she interrupted. “I am promised to Padi and Tekelia for the next hour, but after—tell Jes she may call on me at need.”
“I will,” Mar Tyn promised, and left them.
“Does anyone wish more or something in addition?” Padi asked the table. “A sweet, perhaps?”
Vaiza and Torin looked at each other, apparently considering the sweet, but Dil Nem spoke before they did.
“The youngers and I will clear the table, then I’ll take them in to see her ladyship, if that will suit you, Padi?”
“Thank you, Dil Nem,” she said, and looked to Dyoli.
“I think we’ve been sent to our lessons.”
Dyoli smiled. “I think so, too.”
* * *
“That was an interesting question Torin had,” Padi said.
“If the ship is its own Grid?” Dyoli nodded. “I thought so as well.”
“She’s quick, our Torin,” Tekelia said. “And I’ll own that her question—and your answers—waked in me a very strong desire to visit Dutiful Passage. I’ve never experienced a location that is utterly free of the ambient.”
“As to that…”
Padi frowned at Dyoli.
“I wonder—is…Healspace not the ambient?”
Dyoli turned her hands palms up.
“I was taught that we each carry Healspace within us,” she said slowly. “That said, I may bring a client with me into my Healspace for therapy. Also, I may meet other Healers in a shared environment that we call Healspace, which is, so I had always thought, a merging of separate internal spaces for a unique purpose. Now, I wonder if that…is not quite the operation we are seeing. If perhaps between myself and my colleagues, we create a space unique to us.”
Tekelia stirred.
“When Padi and I first met, she was looking for Healspace.”
“And found you, instead, waiting to serve me tea and cookies,” Padi said.
Dyoli tipped her head. “So you allowed Padi into your own space, Tekelia?”
Tekelia sighed.
“Understand that ‘Healspace’ isn’t a concept that readily translates to Colemeno. If I wish to create an isolated area for thinking or for working, my need is to shut the ambient out. The ambient is of course ambient. It flows through, and informs, me. If I’ve blocked its influence in order to do fine work, then I need to draw on the energy resident in myself.”
Tekelia threw a glance at Padi.
“And I had best have set out cake and sweet tea for when I’m done.”
She laughed, and Tekelia turned back to Dyoli.
“I Saw Padi’s father enter Healspace, when we were together on Ribbon Dance Hill. It seemed to me that he merely…stepped aside, as one does in order to examine one’s inner condition.”
Dyoli raised her eyebrows, and Tekelia grinned.
“I agree—not the most helpful description. It was the first time I had Seen that particular combined use of the ambient and a personal link to establish contact, heart-to-heart.”
Dyoli sat back in her chair.
“Since I was not present, I will ask that we put this discussion aside until we have Padi’s father with us, and may ask him to demonstrate his technique.
“Before we commence our lesson, I have a question for Tekelia.”
Tekelia smiled. “Ask.”
“Who are the guardians of Torin and Vaiza?”
“The Haosa of Ribbon Dance Village acknowledge the twins as our children,” Tekelia said promptly. “Just now, they are living with Geritsi slentAlin and Dosent. Geritsi is…a peaceweaver, we say. Dosent is a sokyum—a native feline, very protective. She and Geritsi are bonded.”
Padi blinked, and Tekelia turned to her.
“Yes?”
“I saw Geritsi hit a man in the head with a shovel.”
“She was very angry,” Tekelia said gravely.
“And justly so,” Padi said, with equal gravity. “I admire her restraint now, as then. But—why is a peaceweaver…Haosa?”
“Because her mere presence in a room is sufficient to cool high feelings and soothe agitated nerves. This isn’t something that she can not do, you understand; it’s at her core. The Civilized, who have appointed themselves the sole arbiters in these matters, decreed that she is an Influencer. Since she is unable to control her Talent, she is Haosa.”
Padi closed her eyes.
“Yes,” Tekelia said. “Exactly.”
“Is Geritsi slentAlin the person I would ask if I might see Torin and Vaiza in my capacity as a Healer?” Dyoli asked into the silence that followed.
Tekelia turned to her. “You may ask me. I take it that you’ve Seen their connection?”
Dyoli sighed sharply. “I’ve Seen something very odd, which I don’t quite understand. My Scan this evening suggests that it was…imposed. Manufactured.” She looked sharply at Tekelia. “Understand that I am speaking of something other than their heart-link.”
“I do understand,” Tekelia assured her. “And it happens that the village has already agreed that this construct, which bewilders us as much as it does you, needs to be dealt with by a trained Healer. Which on Colemeno means a Civilized Healer. We of the Haosa who may have the Gift don’t have the training, which makes us—”
“Hammers,” Padi murmured.
Tekelia grinned at her. “You have a retentive memory. But Dyoli already knows I’m unsubtle.”
“True, but I don’t despair of teaching you a softer touch,” Dyoli said. “Have the Haosa commissioned a Healer?”
“On the advice of our medic, and with the agreement of the village, I petitioned my cousin Bentamin to find us an appropriate Healer. The last time we spoke, he hadn’t yet been able to locate a practitioner who will consent to examine a Haosa child.”
Tekelia paused. Dyoli said nothing, though there was a certain…warmth in the ambient.
“As to the construct itself,” Tekelia continued, “it’s the opinion of our medic that, while it might once have been benign, it will inevitably become a danger to both. Already, there’s some stretching apparent in their patterns. While we don’t think there’s immediate danger, it seems best to deal with the situation as soon as possible.”
Dyoli’s eyes had narrowed.
“Is that it? One is Civilized, and the other Haosa? And someone wove their patterns together. But—why?”
“We believe the weaver to have been their mother, now deceased. We also believe that it was a form of protection. It’s probable that she meant to undo the work when their situation was…less dire, and before harm was done.”
“I…see.” Dyoli sighed. “Please tell me the proper way to bring myself to the Warden’s attention. I am a classically trained Healer who has no objection to Haosa children. I would first wish to examine them both in as quiet an environment as can be managed, in order to understand what has been done. I cannot promise that I will be able to undo the weaving entirely, but it might be possible to mitigate it.”
Tekelia inclined slightly from the waist in a seated bow.
“On behalf of Ribbon Dance Village, I accept your offer to assist our children. We can provide a shielded environment in which you may work, and will accommodate ourselves to your schedule.”
“That’s all?” Dyoli said.
Tekelia smiled. “One more thing. I’ll tell Bentamin that we’ve located a qualified Healer. May I tell him who it is, if he asks?”
“Certainly. As to timing—it will be after the final report has gone to the master trader. May I call you—or Geritsi?”
“Here.” A business card appeared in Tekelia’s right hand, a pen in the left. Tekelia wrote, and held the card out to Dyoli. “My comm code, and Geritsi’s, too.”
“Thank you.” Dyoli glanced over Padi’s shoulder to the clock.
“This evening’s lesson will be brief,” she said. “Padi, if you please, extend a line of calmness to me.”
* * *
The session had been brief, but intense. They had scarcely finished when the comm chimed in a particular sequence.
“That will be Jes,” Dyoli said, and rose to answer the call.
Padi sighed, closed her eyes, and sank back against the sofa cushions. Healer training with Dyoli always left her adrift in her emotions, and aching in muscles she did not physically possess.
Carefully, she reviewed a mental exercise taught to pilots, centering herself.
She heard Dyoli say, “Yes, of course. I am on my way,” and opened her eyes.
“Am I wanted as well?”
“Jes did not ask for you, Trader. In fact, she said she hoped you would enjoy your evening off.”
Padi laughed.
“A threat, in fact!”
“Only a warning, I’m sure,” Dyoli said, and was gone, the door closing behind her.
Padi looked to Tekelia.
“Should we find the children?” she asked.
“They are still with Lady Selph and Eet. Dil Nem is with them. We possibly have time to sit and rest before we must gather us all up and go home.”
Padi smiled. “You are persuasive.”
“Of course I am. Stay, and I’ll bring the wine.”
Tekelia rose and went to the buffet. Padi settled more closely against the cushions.
Home, she thought, and it was the house overlooking the trees, with the glint of the river below, and the glory of the Ribbons above, that came first to mind, rather than her quarters on the Passage, or her suite at Jelaza Kazone, Korval’s clanhouse on Surebleak.
“Have I made a misstep?” Tekelia asked, placing the glasses on the table and sinking onto the couch at her side.
Padi shook her head.
“Not at all. I was merely reflecting on the fact that my suite at our house—the yos’Galan Line-house, I mean—had used to be home.”
“Is it no longer?” Tekelia asked.
“It no longer exists,” Padi said, reaching for her glass and raising it in a small salute. “Trealla Fantrol—our house, you understand—was…unmade before we left Liad. Father is building a new house, on Surebleak…”
“But it is not built yet, and your rooms are still gone,” Tekelia finished for her. “I offer my house as your home for as long as you have need.”
Padi laughed.
“It is precisely your house that—”
The door to Padi’s suite opened, and Dil Nem stepped out.
“Your pardon, Trader. The master trader is on-comm for you.”
Padi turned.
“Are the children still speaking with Lady Selph?”
“They are.”
“Then please transfer the master trader’s call to the common room unit,” Padi said.
“Yes, Trader.”
Padi rose and crossed to the comm. “Excuse me. I must take this.”
“Of course you must,” Tekelia said, rising in turn. “While you’re busy, I’ll pay my respects to Lady Selph.”
* * *
“Good evening, Trader Padi. Forgive me for interrupting your reception.”
“Hardly a reception, sir. Tekelia and I had brought Torin and Vaiza xinRood and their norbear, Eet, to visit Lady Selph. It transpired that Eet’s topic was personal, so the children and Tekelia joined those of us who were in-house for the meal.”
“It sounds a pleasant evening. I will attempt to be brief so that you may return to your guests.
“I have received the preliminary data from Qe’andra dea’Tolin, who tells me that the final report will be complete and ready for the master trader’s review within the next day or two. Have you seen the preliminary report, Trader?”
“Yes, sir, I have. Qe’andra dea’Tolin has included me in her work, and has been so good as to illuminate those points that I found obscure. I understand that the data trends in favor of establishing Colemeno as a trade hub.”
“Absent last-minute catastrophes, discovered in the final stages, which none of us expects—yes. This means that I will be required down-world, to plead the trade mission’s case with the port, and with the Council for the Civilized. Should I win permission to proceed in developing a hub, I will file with the Guild, and make whatever adjustments are necessary to the team-in-place. Then, I will be on my way.”
Padi took a breath.
On his way. Of course, she had known that he would be leaving Colemeno. A master trader could scarcely afford to sit ’round one world indefinitely. Indeed, purely from the standpoint of profit-and-loss, Master Trader yos’Galan, and Dutiful Passage, had already spent more time than was profitable on Colemeno.
Still, to hear it said brought a sudden shortness of breath, and a sting to the eye—
“Trader Padi?”
“Here, sir. I was—taking a moment to adjust my thinking.”
“I understand. There are personnel developments of which you should be aware. As you know, we shortly expect the arrival of our qe’andras. We are also expecting the arrival of Trader Namid ven’Deelin, who will assist in the work going forward.”
Padi blinked.
“In what capacity, sir?”
“A sapient question! Trader ven’Deelin is widely experienced. She might just as easily remain on Colemeno as our trade face, or undertake an audit of the Iverson Loop.”
But that scarcely explained anything, Padi thought.
“I am—confused,” she said slowly. “Does Trader ven’Deelin arrive without knowing her role?”
“She comes to us ready to serve in whatever capacity may be required. I hope to be able to clarify necessity for her when she arrives.”
There was a pause, very slight.
“Padi yos’Galan, your thodelm has a question. May you answer him?”
“Indeed, I may answer Lord yos’Galan,” Padi said, pushing away the whirl of her own questions. Thodelm yos’Galan was very seldom brought forth. On the route, the master trader was the ultimate authority. The thodelm’s care was limited to kin, Line and Clan.
“Very good. Your thodelm asks, young Padi, after your relationship with Tekelia vesterGranz. I am informed that you ‘dance together.’ My duty to Line and Clan requires that I understand the breadth and depth of that dance; what is owed, and what is owing. These things must be regularized before the master trader departs Colemeno orbit.”
Oh. Oh, dear.
Padi felt a flutter of dismay, and took a breath, holding herself calm so that Tekelia would not be distracted by her distress.
After a moment, she addressed herself to her thodelm.
“I have spoken to Tekelia, sir, and have learned that we share a bond that is unique to ourselves. Local custom celebrates this bond as ‘dancing together.’ Tekelia sees no need to define the relationship more closely, and nor do I.” She bit her lip. “I remind the thodelm that Tekelia vesterGranz is not Liaden.”
“Nor was your grandmother,” the thodelm said, and Padi heard him sigh.
“Duty and the delm require a more regular answer. I therefore ask you to assist me.”
“I will do my best, sir.”
“Very good. I will wish to meet with yourself and your dancing partner during the master trader’s upcoming visit to Colemeno. Such a meeting must of course be held on neutral ground. Please locate an appropriate venue and see it secured for our use.”
Padi felt a hand on her shoulder, and sat back in her chair. Tekelia had heard her dismay, and had arrived to take part in this conversation, which, to be fair, was as much about Tekelia as it was about Padi.
And that, she realized, her stomach sinking, handily carried the thodelm’s point for him.
“I advise the thodelm that Tekelia vesterGranz has joined me at the comm. The question of a neutral venue ought best, I think, to be put there.”
“I agree. Tekelia vesterGranz, this is Thodelm yos’Galan. Do you understand?”
“Somewhat, sir. I fear my facility with melant’i is less than expert, though Padi has been teaching me. I believe I understand that you wish to meet with us to discuss…formalities of Liaden Code?”
“Admirably phrased. Yes, precisely. Melant’i dictates that the venue neither favor nor disadvantage any of the participants unequally. Is there such a place on Colemeno?”
“We might use the shielded rooms above Peck’s Market,” Tekelia said. “However, I wonder if it wouldn’t be better if Padi and I came to you.”
Padi laughed.
“Coming to me would require you to board Dutiful Passage. Forgive me if I overstep, but that seems to hold the potential to disadvantage you—greatly,” the master trader said.
“With respect, sir, we don’t know that. I’m willing to waive my right to perfect equality for a chance to experience an environment which is, as Padi tells me, ambient-free. If I’m disadvantaged, I trust Padi to guard my interests.”
There was silence, much longer than lag could account for, before the master trader spoke again.
“Has no one from Colemeno ever boarded a spaceship? Ships do come to you—the Iverson Loop, and others.”
“Yes, sir, they do, and it’s possible that some one or other of the Civilized has been aboard a ship—even traveled. If they did, they didn’t speak publicly about their experience. Civilized law forbids Haosa the port, unless invited, as I think you know. If I understand the purpose of the trade mission correctly, we’ll be seeing more ships at Colemeno, and the Haosa…It would be helpful to know if we can profit from the changes that are about to occur.”
“Ah.”
Another long pause. Padi turned to look up at Tekelia, who met her eyes with a smile.
“The master trader advises me that he is willing to bring Trader yos’Galan and Speaker vesterGranz aboard the Dutiful Passage so that Trader yos’Galan may attend to necessary business, and Speaker vesterGranz may gather data of import to the Haosa,” Thodelm yos’Galan stated. “If conditions allow, and all parties agree, it is possible that the thodelm’s purpose may also be accomplished during this visit. If conditions do not allow, the meeting will be postponed until it may take place in the shielded rooms above Peck’s Market. Be advised, both, that this is not optional.”
“Yes, sir,” Padi said.
“Yes, sir,” Tekelia said.
“Trader Padi,” the master trader said, “I will expect you immediately after Qe’andra dea’Tolin has filed the final report. You will please find from Lady Selph if she is ready to rejoin her cuddle. If she is, please bring her with you.”
“Yes, sir. Is there anything else?”
“Do you know?” Father said, “I think not, at this present. Go back to your guests, child. Sleep well.”
“Sleep well, Father. Give my love to Priscilla.”
“Of course. Tekelia-dramliza, a good evening to you.”
“Good evening, sir,” Tekelia said.
Padi ended the call, and turned in her chair to meet Tekelia’s eyes.
“Why—” Tekelia began—and stopped as the door to Padi’s room opened, admitting Torin, Vaiza, Eet in his carry bag, and, somewhat less exuberantly, Dil Nem.
Tekelia stepped back and Padi rose.
“Has Lady Selph dismissed you from her presence?” she asked.
“She said she needed to dream on us,” Torin said, “and told Eet to take us home.”
“Dismissed, indeed,” Padi said, meeting Dil Nem’s eyes over Vaiza’s head. He moved a shoulder. Nothing untoward, then. She looked back to the twins.
“Would you like some cake before we go?”