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‘The reason I ask,’ the Trader went on ponderously, ‘is that I had a bird from Trehaug yesterday, warning me that I should expect payment for some goods I sent upriver to be delayed. They had had a quake, and a big one. They weren’t sure how much damage had been done when they sent the bird, but said that the Kendry would certainly be delayed.

’ The man shrugged one skinny shoulder. ‘Are we sure the Satrap came through it safely?’

For a moment, her tongue could get no purchase on her thoughts.

Then Roed Caern was rising gracefully to claim the floor.

‘Trader Ricter, I think we should not speculate on such things, lest we send rumours running. Surely if anything were amiss, we would have received word. For now, I propose we let all questions regarding the Satrap rest. Surely his security is more important than our idle curiosity.’ He had a trick of standing with one shoulder slightly higher than the other.

He turned as he spoke, somehow conveying both the charm and arrogance of a well-clawed cat.

There was no threat in his words, yet somehow it would be challenging him to ask more about the Satrap.

A little ripple of uneasiness seemed to spread out from him.

He took his time about resuming his seat, as if allowing everyone to consider his words.

No one brought up the topic of the Satrap again.

A few other Traders stood after that to bring up lesser matters, volunteering to keep street lamps filled and the like, but the feeling of the meeting was suddenly that it was over.

Serilla was caught between disappointment and relief that it was finished when a man in a dark blue robe stood up in the far corner of the room.

‘Trader’s son Grag Tenira,’ he announced himself when Trader Dwicker hesitated over his name. ‘And I do have permission, written and witnessed, to speak for my family. I speak for Tomie Tenira.’

‘Speak, then,’ Dwicker recognized him.

The Trader’s son hesitated, then drew a breath. ‘I suggest that we appoint three Traders to consider the matter of Trader Restart’s death and the disposition of his estate. I claim interest in this matter, for monies owed by the estate to the Tenira family.’

Roed Caern was on his feet again, too quickly this time. ‘Is this a worthy use of our time?’ he demanded. ‘All debt is to be held in abeyance just now. That was agreed at the very start of the meeting. Besides, how can the manner of a man’s death affect a debt that is owed?’

Grag Tenira did not seem daunted by his reasoning.

‘An inheritance is not a debt, I think. If the estate has been confiscated, then we must give up all hope of regaining what is owed us. But if the estate is to be inherited, then we have an interest in knowing that, and in seeing it passed on to an heir before it is…depleted.’ Depleted was the word he used, yet ‘plundered’ was in his tone.

Serilla could not control the pink that rose to her cheeks.

Her mouth was suddenly dry and she could not speak.

This was far worse than being ignored; he had all but accused her of theft.

Trader Dwicker did not seem to notice her distress.

He did not even seem to realize it was up to her to answer this.

Instead, he leaned back in his chair and said gravely, ‘A panel of three Traders to look into this seems a reasonable request, especially as another member of a Trader family has already expressed concern about this. Would volunteers with no connection to this matter please stand?’

As quickly as that, it was done. Serilla did not even recognize the names of those Dwicker chose.

One was a dowdy young woman holding a squirming child in her arms, another an old man with a seamed face who leaned on a cane.

How was she supposed to exert her influence on such as those?

She felt as if she dwindled into her chair as a wave of defeat and shame washed over her.

The shame amazed her in its intensity and brought despair in its wake.

Somehow, it was all connected. This was the power that men could take over her.

She caught a sudden glimpse of Ronica Vestrit’s face.

The sympathy in the old woman’s eyes horrified Serilla.

Had she sunk so low that even her enemies pitied her as they tore her to pieces?

A sudden ringing in her ears threatened her, and the hall grew dimmer around her.

Ronica sat small and quiet. They would do for Grag Tenira what they would not do for her. They would look into Davad’s death. That, she told herself, was the important thing.

She was distracted from her thoughts by how pale the Companion had suddenly become.

Would the woman faint? In a way, she pitied her.

She was a stranger to this place, and caught in the turmoil of its civil upheaval with no hope of extricating herself.

Moreover, she seemed so trapped in her role as Companion.

She sensed that at one time there had been more to Serilla, but somehow it had been lost. Still, it was difficult to pity anyone so obsessed with obtaining and holding power for herself at any cost.

Watching her sit so still and small through the rest of the meeting, Ronica scarcely noticed it ending.

Trader Dwicker led them in a final prayer to Sa, at once asking for strength and thanking the deity for survival.

The voices echoing his were certainly stronger than those that had responded to his opening prayer.

It was a good sign. All that had happened here had been good tonight, for Bingtown.

Companion Serilla left, not with Trader Drur, but on Roed Caern’s arm.

The tall, handsome Trader’s son glowered as he escorted her from the gathering hall.

Several heads besides Ronica’s turned to watch them go.

Almost, they looked like a couple on the edge of a marital spat.

It did not please Ronica to see the anxiety that haunted the Companion’s face. Was Caern somehow coercing her?

Ronica had not the gall to hasten after them and beg a ride home, though she would have dearly loved to hear what passed between them in the carriage.

Instead, as she wrapped Dorill’s shawl well about her, she thought with dread of the long walk back to Davad’s house.

Outside was a chill fall night. The road would be rough and dark, and the dangers more vicious than those of the Bingtown she had known.

Well, there was no help for it. The sooner she started, the sooner she was there.

Outside the hall, a nasty little breeze cut at her.

Other families were clambering into carriages and waggons or walking home in groups, carrying lanterns and armed with walking sticks.

She had not thought to bring either. Chiding herself for thoughtlessness, she started down the steps.

At the bottom, a figure stepped from the shadows and touched her on the arm. She gasped in startlement.

‘Beg pardon,’ Grag Tenira spoke immediately. ‘I didn’t mean to frighten you. I merely wanted to be certain you had a safe way home.’

Ronica laughed shakily. ‘I thank you for your concern, Grag. I no longer even have a safe home to go to. Nor a way there, other than my own two feet. I have been staying at Davad’s house, since my own was vandalized.

While I am there, I have been attempting to trace Davad’s transactions with the New Traders.

I am convinced that if the Companion would but pay heed to me, she would see that Davad was no traitor. Nor am I.’

The words spilled from her. Belatedly she got her tongue under control.

However, Grag stood gravely listening and nodding to her words.

When she fell silent, he offered, ‘If the Companion will not heed what you find, I and several others would find it of interest. Although I doubted Davad Restart’s loyalty, I never questioned the Vestrit family’s allegiance to Bingtown, even if you have dabbled in the slave trade. ’

Ronica had to bow her head and bite her tongue to that, for it was true.

It might not be any of her own doing, but her family ship had gone as a slaver.

And been lost because of it. She took a breath.

‘I would be happy to show you and any others who would be interested. I have heard that Mingsley of the New Traders has been making truce offers. In terms of his long dealings with Davad, I wonder if he was not seeking to buy Old Traders to his way of thinking.’

‘I should be pleased to see the records. But, for tonight, I would be more pleased to see you safely to wherever you are staying. I have no carriage, but my horse can carry two, if you would not object to riding pillion.’

‘I would be grateful. But why?’

‘Why?’ Grag looked startled at the question.

‘Why?’ Ronica took up all the bravery of an old woman who no longer cares for the niceties of courtesy.

‘Why do you extend yourself on my behalf? My daughter Althea has refused your suit. My reputation right now in Bingtown is unsavoury. Why chance your own, associating with me? Why press for the matter of Davad’s death to be investigated? What motivates you, Grag Tenira?’

He bowed his head for an instant. Then, when he lifted his face, a nearby torch caught his blue eyes and limned his profile.

As he smiled ruefully, Ronica wondered how Althea could ever have held her heart back from this young man.

‘You ask a blunt question and I will give you truth in return. I myself feel some responsibility for Davad’s death and your disaster that night.

Not for what I did, but for what I failed to do.

And as for Althea –’ He grinned suddenly.

‘Perhaps I don’t give up that easily. And perhaps the way to her heart is through courtesy to her mother.

’ He gave a sudden laugh. ‘Sa knows I have tried everything else. Perhaps a good word from you would turn the key for me. Come. My horse is this way.’