Cerwin paused for breath. His young face looked older as he went on. “It’s a mess and not getting better. Some of my friends want to arm themselves and simply drive the New Traders into the sea. Roed Caern says we should kill any of them who won’t leave. He says we must take back what they stole from us. Many of the Traders’ sons agree with him. They say that only when the New Traders are gone can Bingtow go back to being Bingtown. Some say we should round up the New Traders and give them a choice of leaving, or death. Others talk of secret reprisals against those who dealt with the New Traders, and burning the New Traders out to force them to leave. I’ve heard rumors that Caern and his friends go out a great deal at night.” He shook his head miserably. “That is why my father tries to keep me close to home. He doesn’t want me involved.” He met Ronica’s eyes suddenly. “I am not a coward. But I don’t want to be involved.”

“In that, you and your father are wise. Nothing will be resolved that way. It will only justify them in more violence against us.” Ronica shook her head. “Bingtown will never be Bingtown again.” She sighed and asked, “When is the next Bingtown Council meeting?”

Cerwin shrugged. “They have not met at all since this began. At least, not formally. All the liveship Traders are out chasing Chalcedeans. Some of the Traders have fled the city; others have fortified their homes and never leave them. Several times the heads of the Council have gathered with Serilla, but she has urged them to delay calling a meeting. She wishes to reconcile with the New Traders and use her authority as the Satrap’s representative to restore peace. She wishes to treat with the Chalcedeans, also.”

Ronica was silent for a moment. Her lips tightened. This Serilla, it seemed to her, was taking entirely too much authority to herself. What were the tidings she had concealed? Surely the sooner the Council met and formulated a plan to restore order, the sooner the city could heal. Why would she oppose that?

“Cerwin. Tell me this. If I went to Serilla, do you think she would speak to me? Or do you think they would kill me as a traitor?”

The young man looked at Ronica with dismay. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I no longer know what my own friends are capable of doing. Trader Daw was found hanged. His wife and children have disappeared. Some say he killed himself when he saw that fortunes were going against him. Others say his brothers-in-law did it, out of shame. No one talks much of it.”

Ronica was silent for a time. She could huddle here in the remains of her home, knowing that if she were murdered, folk would not talk much of it. Or she could find a different place to hide. But winter was coming, and she had already decided that she would not perish gracefully. Perhaps confrontation was all that was left. At least she would have the satisfaction of speaking her piece before someone killed her. “Can you carry a message to Serilla for me? Where is she staying?”

“She has taken over Davad Restart’s house. But, please, I don’t dare carry a message. If my father found out-“

“Of course.” She cut him off abruptly. She could shame him into it. All she need do was imply that Malta would think him a coward if he did not. She would not use the boy to test the waters. What sense was there in sacrificing Cerwin to ensure her own safety? She would go herself. She had cowered at home long enough.

She stood up. “Go home, Cerwin. And stay there. Listen to your father.”

The young man stood slowly. His gaze traveled over her, and then he looked away, embarrassed for her. “Do you… are you doing well here, by yourself? Have you enough to eat?”

“I’m fine. Thank you for asking.” She felt oddly touched by his concern. She looked down at her garden-stained hands and her dirt-caked nails. She restrained an impulse to put her hands behind her.

He took a breath. “Will you tell Malta that I came, that I was worried about her?”

“I will. The next time I see her. But that may not be for quite a long time. Now go home. Obey your father after this. I am sure he has enough worries without you putting yourself in danger.”

That made him stand up a bit straighter. A smile touched his mouth. “I know. But I had to come, you see. I could know no peace until I discovered what had become of her.” He paused. “May I tell Delo, also?”

The girl was one of the worst gossips in Bingtown. Ronica decided that Cerwin did not know enough about anything to be a threat. “You may. But plead with her to keep it to herself. Ask her not to speak of Malta at all. It is the greatest favor she can do her friend. The fewer people who wonder about Malta, the safer she is.”