No one else laughed. There was a feverish note to his behavior that even Althea seemed to notice. She frowned at Amber, but the woman did not deign to notice it. Keffria decided that perhaps it was her turn to be blunt. “Forgive me if I sound skeptical. I do not see why either of you should wish to become involved in this. Why should a foreigner wish to risk her whole fortune on a mad liveship? What does it profit Brashen Trell to risk his life for a man who found his seamanship unsatisfactory? We could gamble what is left of the Vestrit finances, only to lose it all, if you never returned.”

Brashen's eyes flashed. “I may be disinherited, but that does not mean I am totally without honor.” He paused and shook his head. “Plain words, tonight, will serve us all best. Keffria Vestrit, you fear I'd take the Paragon and turn pirate. I could. I don't deny that. But I wouldn't. Whatever differences Althea and I may have, I think she'll still vouch for my integrity. I know your father would have.”

“Speaking for myself,” Amber added smoothly, “I've already told you that I wish to prevent the Paragon from being dismantled. We are friends. I am also a friend of your sister Althea. In addition, this is something that I feel I am called to do. I can explain it no better than that. I'm afraid you'll have to take my offer at face value. I can offer you no other assurances.”

A silence fell in the room. Brashen slowly folded his arms on his chest. His brow was deeply lined. He fixed his gaze on Althea and stared at her, in a challenge that made no pretense of courtesy. Althea refused to meet it. She looked instead at her mother. Malta fidgeted, looking from one adult to another.

“I'll come back tomorrow evening,” Brashen said suddenly. He waited until Althea glanced at him. “Think it over, Althea. I saw the mood of the Traders as they left tonight. I doubt that you'll get any other offers of aid, let alone a better one.” He paused. In a softer voice he spoke only to her, “If you want to speak to me before then, leave a message at Amber's shop. She knows where to find me.”

“Are you living aboard Paragon?” Althea's voice sounded hoarse.

“At nights. Sometimes.” Brashen's voice was non-committal.

“And how much cindin have you used today?” she suddenly demanded. There was a cruel edge to the question.

“None at all.” Brashen permitted himself a bitter smile. “That's the problem.” He glanced at Amber. “I think I had best be going now.”

“I think I need to stay a bit longer.” Amber sounded almost apologetic.

“As you see fit. Well. Good evening to you all, then.” Brashen sketched a bow.

“Wait!” Malta's plea sounded sharp. “Please, I mean. Please wait.” Keffria thought she had never heard such anxiety in her daughter's voice. “May I ask some questions? About Paragon?”

Brashen focused his entire attention on her. “If you're asking my permission, certainly.”

Malta shot a pleading look around the room. “If he is going to leave us to think on this, then ... it is like you are always telling me, Grandmother. We cannot argue with numbers. Nor can we make decisions without them. So, to consider this at all, we first need to know the numbers.”

Ronica Vestrit looked snared between shock and approval. “That's true.”

Malta took a breath. “So. My Aunt Althea seems to think that the Paragon will need many repairs before he can sail. But I have always heard the wizardwood doesn't rot. Do you think he needs to be refitted?”

Brashen nodded. "Not as much as if he were a ship of ordinary wood, but yes, there is much to be done. The Paragon is an old ship. Far more wizardwood was used in his construction than in later liveships. Those parts of him that are wizardwood are sound. Much of the rest of him is in surprisingly good condition. I think wizardwood repels many of the boring worms and pests much as cedar repels moths. But there is still a great deal of work and supplies he would need. New masts, new canvas, new lines. Anchors, chain and a ship's boat, plus a kit for the kitchen, carpenter tools, a medicine chest ... all of the things a ship must carry aboard it to become its own little world. Many of his seams should be re-caulked. A lot of his brightwork needs replacing. Amber has restored much of his interior wood and fixtures, but there is still a great deal to be done.

“There would be the further expense of buying the foodstuffs necessary to stock the ship for the voyage. We'd need a secret store of money or goods, in the hopes we can make a ransom offer for the ship and men. Weapons, also, would have to be bought, in case Captain Kennit refuses to dicker, and if we can afford any deck machines, they'd have to be installed. And there would have to be some coin up-front to hire hands for the voyage.”