* * *
Aelliana and Lady yo'Lannamet quite a number of people in the course of their unhurried stroll. Aelliana had done her best to commit faces to memory, as she would memorize the faces that filled each new class. Most pleasantly, they had spoken with Len Sar Anaba Clan Gabrian, who was a trader, and knew Er Thom well; and exchanged bows with Lady Sera tel'Kai Clan Vakmont. Vakmont, Aelliana told herself, with a certain feeling of pleasure for knowing it, was High House.
“Do you mean to keep Korval on your string very long?” Lady yo'Lanna asked.
Aelliana felt her temper spark, and took a careful breath.
“Ma'am, I fear you are misinformed,” she said quietly. “Daav had said you were his mother's best and oldest friend, so I have no hesitation in telling you that he and I are natural lifemates. We stand each at the side of the other because we must. That lifemating, ma'am, cannot be undone.”
“I had wondered if that were the case, given the clan's history,” the lady said smoothly. “But there are other matters, Pilot, which may only be captured correctly by paper and ink. I cannot imagine why Chi's son has not yet cemented his advantage.”
“He has been convenable and patient,” Aelliana murmured. “There were those things which I needed to find of myself, for myself, before I would allow even discussion of contracts.”
“Ah. And now?”
Aelliana smiled. “Mr. dea'Gauss is speaking with Mizel now.”
Lady yo'Lanna did not go so far as to smile, though she did press her lips together for a brief moment.
“That is excellent news,” she said. “May I be the very first to wish you happy.”
“The contract is not set yet,” Aelliana protested.
The Lady laughed softly. “My dear Pilot Caylon, with the dea'Gauss in negotiation, success cannot be far behind.” She used her chin to point at a man in a very fine tunic, coming toward them up the path.
“Now, here we come upon my good friend Etgora. You will doubtless find him pleasant enough, but pray be aware that he will look first at your rings and calculate from there.”
Aelliana glanced down at her hands. She wore her Jump pilot's cluster and the silver puzzle ring she had from her grandmother.
“I have no shame in my rings, ma'am,” she said composedly.
“No,” Lady yo'Lanna said, sweeping forward, “nor should you.”
* * *
“ . . . it was Plemia lost an elder pilot in the Out,” yo'Taler was saying. “The most curious affair imaginable. She had delivered her cargo, and taken on the return, went onto the port for a bite and a glass—and never returned to her ship. It was like the port swallowed her up.”
“The ship?” Daav asked.
“Ah, there's Korval! No, sir, you'll rejoice to hear that the ship was unharmed. It paid the docking fees until its account ran dry, which is when Port Admin noticed something amiss, and by then the pilot's trail was cold. No one came forward with her ID or a ship key, or any likely tale for taking what they knew was aboard. Nor could anyone recall seeing the pilot after she left with another, before port middle night.”
“She might as easily have fallen into the lake,” Wespail murmured. “Pilots do get drunk.”
“Did anyone find her companion?” someone asked.
“Yes. And he was as astonished as any other to learn that she had vanished. He was employed by the yard where her ship was docked and had come to tell her that there might be need of a rebalancing. Left her at the gate, is what he told the proctors, and none to disbelieve him.”
“The pirates are getting bold,” Len Sar Anaba said. “Even here in Solcintra, there are cargoes going missing as a regular thing—from beneath the noses of trained guards! Down in the Low Port, it's said that the Juntavas rules all. Pilots are in particular peril, and many never return to their ships.”
Daav looked up, warned by a sense he had not known he had.
Aelliana and Lady yo'Lanna were walking toward their little group, escorted by Delm Etgora. He murmured an excuse and moved out of the intent knot of discussants.
“Daav, the gardens are quite beautiful!” Aelliana greeted him, abandoning Lady yo'Lanna's arm for his.
“Yes, they are very fine. Glavda Empri wins awards every year, for its artful and pleasing displays.”
Aelliana moved her hand, showing him Etgora.
“This is Ber del'Fordan, who has the honor to be Etgora.”
“We have met,” Daav said, giving his fellow delm the courtesy of the bow between equals. “It has been some time, sir.”
“It has. You are looking well, young Korval. Pilot Caylon, please, call upon me at any time.”
“Thank you, sir,” Aelliana said.
“Yes, all very well,” Lady yo'Lanna said. “Etgora, I am thirsty. Pray find me a glass of the canary.”
“Certainly, Ilthiria.” He inclined his head and led her to the wine table.
Aelliana sighed, and wilted a little on Daav's arm.
“How do you go on?” Daav asked her. “Do you wish to leave?”
