Mistress Jardena

"Will you let us keep to the east quay tonight?" he asked. "We’re tired and damaged. There's coin—enough for repairs."

Jardena watched his mouth. "Everyone gets shelter in Halmar," she said. "But I will see the hold. If you bring danger, you will leave before dawn." mistress jardena

Jardena set the Heart on the swollen planks between them. "The pact belongs to Halmar," she said. "Not to your markets." "Will you let us keep to the east quay tonight

"People are missing," Jardena said. "Old promises were broken. Your maps involve Halmar. Why?" "Everyone gets shelter in Halmar," she said

She did not sleep. At midnight she walked the quay and locked the chest in her office, calling in her steward, Toman—solid as a boulder and loyal as the harbor's breakwater—and a few trusted fishermen. "We must find Locke," she told them. "If those maps return what was taken, someone will move to claim it."

He laughed. "You think to take them by village order? The south pays well for new routes. I've sailed farther than your lighthouse sees."