II
Shan gazed out the window as the omnibus lumbered on. He was not deploring the view, though it was certainly deplorable, but rather was considering those other things he and Padi had discovered in the course of researching the port, and the systems which supported it.
Millsap lived—and lived well—because of the balance between its two Loops. One might argue their methods, but one could not argue that those methods failed of producing profit. Millsap had been profitable for a long time, and would continue to be so just exactly as long as its client Loops profited.
And there lay the rub.
The Terran Loop was, to his eye, beginning to falter, though he could, as he had several times reminded himself, be wrong. The data he had was too sparse to support an in-depth analysis. He could buy more data and study the matter in the fullness it deserved. After all, he was a master trader; process and the ongoing health of ports were his legitimate concerns. Indeed, it might well be his duty to file a notice with the guild, but he hesitated to do so on the base of such flimsy evidence as was now in his hand. Master traders were, after all, held to a certain standard.
And a Liaden master trader bringing a Terran trade enterprise to the attention of the guild—there would be politics to cope with, no question, and his taste for politics was even less acute than usual. But, after all, politics could be finessed, when necessary. The question therefore became—Was it necessary?
He took a breath, seeking to clarify his thoughts and settle his stomach, as the omnibus turned right down a thoroughfare that seemed to be lined with—could it be shops? Good gods, so they were.
He glanced at the seat just ahead of them, where Lina sat next to Karna Tivit of ship’s security. Hands folded on her knee, face serene, shoulders loose and level, she made a pretty picture of modest patience, quintessentially Liaden.
It had been decided by the ship’s three Healers that there was nothing to be gained by startling the Healers of Millsap. From there, it had been a very short step to deciding that Lina should act as their Healer-escort while Priscilla remained with the ship. Lina was a good, solid Healer trained in the Liaden style. There was nothing about her to raise eyebrows.
Priscilla, on the other hand, would have had the eyebrows of the entire Hall arcing into hairlines before they were admitted to the Hall.
Even presented as dramliza, rather than Healer, there were too many odd energies roiling about Priscilla and her methods—especially if one were a Healer trained in the Liaden style.
It had therefore seemed best, after discussion, not to tax the Healers of Millsap with questions when what was wanted—were answers.
So, Priscilla had stayed with the ship—their reserve force, as she styled it, in the unlikely event that the Healers of Millsap proved to be pirates or brigands—while Lina accompanied the wounded Healer and the Emergent in need of Sorting.
It was perfectly straightforward, he told himself, not for the first, or even the sixth, time. Nonetheless, his stomach, foolish organ, remained unsettled.
As if she had heard his ruminations, Lina turned her head and smiled at him briefly. It might have reassured him, if he hadn’t known her for so long that her smiles hid no secrets from him.
Lina was worried, too.
Shan sighed.