“Thank you,” she whispered.
“No—thank you.” He put his hand briefly over hers, the Master Trader's ring flashing purple lightnings. “Come, let us return you to her ladyship, so that we may all be civilized for one hour more.”
* * *
“Anne, we are well-met,” Daav said. He slipped his arm through hers. “For the love of the gods, whatever you do, do not let me go.”
She smiled and patted his hand. “Where's Er Thom got to?” she wondered in Terran.
“Gone to rescue my darling from my sister's spite,” he answered, gladly embracing her choice of language. “Since I am disallowed from performing the service myself.”
“Scholar yo'Vestra is making his way very deliberately in this direction,” Anne commented. “Should I move us?”
“Not in the least,” Daav returned. “It will do me good to have a worthy target.”
Anne laughed, and then the scholar was upon them.
“Lady yos'Galan, I offer myself in place of your present escort, who is wanted on business of the utmost urgency to Korval.”
Daav considered him.
“Do you bear a more explicit message, Scholar?”
yo'Vestra bowed. “The dea'Gauss awaits you in Lady Kareen's office, sir.”
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Contents
Liaden 11 - Mouse and Dragon
Chapter Thirty-Two
A Dragon will in all things follow its own necessities, and either will or will not make its bow to Society.
—From the Liaden Book of Dragons
Daav turned the last page over, and looked to Korval's man of business, sitting straight-backed and attentive on one of Kareen's damned uncomfortable visitor's chairs.
“Mizel accepts all,” he said, scarcely believing what he had just read, “and even adds a date by which Miss Sinit must be welcomed into yo'Lanna's keeping.” He extended a hand, and flipped up the last page, half afraid that he had imagined it—but, no. Mizel's line was signed, witnessed, and sealed. All that remained was to apply his signature and Mr. dea'Gauss his, and the thing was done.
At last.
“I have a pen, your lordship,” Mr. dea'Gauss murmured, rising and reaching into his jacket.
Of course he had a pen. Daav received it with a nod.
“My thanks yet again, Mr. dea'Gauss. I regret this disruption of your evening.”
“It is nothing, your lordship. What I regret is the length of time it has taken us to arrive at this very welcome port, and the unnecessary distress with which Pilot Caylon and yourself were burdened.”
Mr. dea'Gauss did not usually indulge in anger. That he was angry at this—but of course he would be. The misuse of melant'i and the waste of time and opportunity—yes, those things might well anger Mr. dea'Gauss.
Daav addressed the paper, inscribed his name, and handed the pen to Mr. dea'Gauss, who wrote, brief and neat, noting also the time and date. He then withdrew a seal from his case and appended it in the proper place.
“It is done.”
Relief pummeled Daav so that he sank back in his chair, exhausted. Done. Aelliana.
Aelliana was in the next room, and there was nothing now to lose by acquiescing to his compulsion to go to her.
He put his hands on the arms of the chair, meaning to rise immediately—
“If your lordship pleases,” Mr. dea'Gauss said.
Daav grit his teeth.
“There is more, Mr. dea'Gauss?” he asked, managing to keep his voice level.
“I have with me other papers as well, your lordship, should you and Pilot Caylon wish to embrace the fullness of opportunity.”
Daav blinked. Other papers could only be the lifemate lines. It was customary to invite allies and guests to a gather during which the lines were signed and witnessed by all who dealt with Korval.
Most of whom were gathered right here and now.
Kareen would not thank him for turning her party to his own ends. On the other hand, as their mother had often said, The shortest route to done is through begun.
“Yes,” he said, rising more slowly than he had intended. “Let us have it done now, and done well, before all the
