“The Tenira family might,” Althea offered quietly. “Some few of the other liveship owners may come forward and . . .”

“They're going to be too busy with their own problems for some time,” Brashen broke in. “I'm sorry. It's hard for me to think straight tonight. I keep forgetting you probably don't know what else went on. There was a riot at the tariff docks tonight. Tenira and some of the others went down in force. They moved Ophelia out to the center of the harbor and a whole fleet of small boats went out to unload her. The cargo has been scattered all over Bingtown. Tenira gave it away rather than pay any tariffs on it. But that didn't stop the Chalcedeans from trying to interfere.”

“Sweet Sa, have mercy. Was anyone hurt?” Ronica demanded.

Brashen's smile was not a friendly one. “The Bingtown harbor master is quite upset about two sunken galleys. Unfortunately, they went down right near the tariff docks. No large ships are going to be able to get in there to tie up for a time. Sa only knows when they'll find a way to raise them. . . .”

“They burned going down,” Amber added. She sounded both saddened and satisfied. She added casually, “Part of the tariff dock caught as well. When we left, some of the Satrap's warehouses were still burning.”

Brashen's tone challenged Althea, “You might concede there was good reason to be concerned for your safety, on such a night.”

“You were down there?” Althea looked from one to the other. “All those fires . . . too many to be one accidental fire spreading. This was planned in advance, wasn't it? Why didn't I know?”

“Ophelia and I have become very good friends,” Amber replied evasively.

“Why wasn't I told?”

“Maybe it wasn't a fit place for a Trader's daughter to be.” Brashen shrugged. More sourly, he added, “Perhaps Crag cares enough for you that he wouldn't want to risk you being arrested also.”

“Grag was arrested?”

“For a short time. They found the Chalcedean guards who were supposed to be holding him, but Grag himself has disappeared.” He permitted himself a small smile. “I understand that he's fine, however. I'm sure you'll hear from him in a day or so. Surely he wouldn't leave his lady love in suspense.”

“How do you know so much? How did you happen to be down there?” Althea's anger was building. She had flushed a deep scarlet. Keffria could not understand why she was so upset about this. Did she wish she had been at a riot, instead of driving Davad home?

“When I saw a band of disgruntled Traders form up and leave the meeting early together, I followed them. When I saw their real intent, I joined them. As did a good many others along the way.” He paused. “Later, I heard some talk about what had been done to Davad Restart's carriage. And what some wished to do to him. If I'd been there, I would never have allowed you to drive that carriage off alone. What Tenira was thinking, I don't-”

“I've told you before, I don't need you to look after me!” Althea was suddenly savagely angry. “I don't need anyone's help.”

Brashen folded his arms on his chest. “Oh, that's obvious, now. I'm only puzzled as to why you stood up at the Traders' meeting and asked for the help you now refuse.”

“I don't need help from you!” Althea clarified fiercely.

“I do.” Keffria found her sister's shock almost satisfying. She met Althea's glare with a calm look. “You seem to have forgotten that I, not you, am the Trader for this family. I am not so proud as to turn away the only help we may be offered.” Keffria switched her glance to Brashen. “What do we need to begin this? Where do we start?”

Brashen tilted his head toward Malta. “The little one is right. We need money to start.” He nodded next to Ronica. “And the captain's lady will have to push Davad Restart to make him present this offer favorably to the Ludlucks. Any other liveship owners who would add their approval would help. Maybe Althea could get her sweetheart to put in his word on this. I know a few of the liveships, and I'll speak to them directly. You might be surprised how much pressure a liveship can put on his family.” He took a breath and briefly rubbed his temples. He put his kerchief away slowly. “Althea is right. Getting crew will be a problem. I'll start on that immediately, put word out in the taverns that I'm hiring a lively crew of daring men. Those that come will half expect to turn pirate. They may turn away at the name of Paragon, but . . .”