Mouse and Dragon by Steve Miller, Sharon Lee Page B

"Well played, Pilot," he added, for her ears alone.
    Mr. pak'Ora, arrived at the door, received his orders and departed, promising tea on the instant. Er Thom yos'Galan turned to address the other lady.
    "Kareen? Will you take tea?"
    There was a small hesitation before she moved forward. "Certainly, cousin. Why should we not take tea while the clan crumbles about us? Already, I apprehend, we are a laughingstock, our credit fallen on the Exchange. Tea will be pleasant, as we watch all that we once were fall and burn." She seated herself across the table from Aelliana and inclined her head. "Don't you agree, Pilot-Scholar Caylon?"
    "Certainly," Aelliana said, warily, "tea is often pleasant. It is very good of Thodelm yos'Galan to offer such kindness to a stranger."
    "No, you must acquit him," the lady said. "It is not kindness, but yet another diversion."
    "Diversion is also welcome," Aelliana answered, meeting the other's eyes firmly, "and so a further kindness."
    "Own yourself bested, sister," Daav said, folding his lanky self into the chair at Aelliana's right hand.
    She turned slightly, the better to see him, and barely restrained herself from snatching his hand as she put her question.
    " Van'chela , is this true? Has your clan taken so much harm?"
    "No, nothing so dire," he assured her, smiling. "It's merely Kareen's humor."
    "My humor ?" the lady inquired, raising shapely eyebrows.
    Daav tipped his head, as if considering her question. "It is either your humor or your distemper, sister," he said at last, and with less goodwill than Aelliana had expected. "Choose wisely."
    "Ah, the tea." Er Thom yos'Galan slipped into the chair at Aelliana's left. "Thank you, Mr. pak'Ora."
    "Will there be anything else, sir?"
    "Not at the moment, I think."
    " Thank you, sir," the butler said, and departed, closing the door softly behind him.
    Er Thom yos'Galan poured, handing the first cup to Aelliana, the second to Daav, the third to Kareen yos'Phelium, keeping the fourth for himself.
    "Speaking to your point, cousin," he said, after he had sipped his tea, "I had the felicity of a visit from the Master of the Accountants Guild today. He had gone first to Jelaza Kazone, and on discovering the delm away, came to me." He looked to Aelliana and inclined his head gravely. "Forgive me if I touch upon a painful subject, Scholar. In sum, it would appear that the departure of your former kinsman has uncovered a mystery that has for several years puzzled the master accountants. They wish me to convey to Korval their gratitude."
    "Pray, what mystery is this?" inquired Daav's sister, her tone almost civil.
    Er Thom turned to face her.
    "It would seem that certain small- to mid-sized endeavors held by clans of modest means have come on the market unexpectedly over the last while, to be sold for absurdly low cash amounts. It was thought at first that these sales were to ameliorate cash-flow difficulties, but it rarely seemed to benefit the clans in question at all. Indeed, if anything, they came to be less robust than before the sale."
    "Bad business sense is hardly a mystery," Lady Kareen pointed out.
    "True. However, today, in the new hour of the morning, a man approached the Mid Port office of the Accountants Guild, demanding payment of a note, signed by one Ran Eld Caylon, ceding a half-share in Sood'ae Leather Works, or cash equivalent, to the bearer, one San bel'Fasin. The master at the desk placed Master bel'Fasin into a waiting room while she called Mizel, and the port proctors. Mizel reported that Ran Eld Caylon was clanless; his signature without worth. The Six Masters then questioned San bel'Fasin, closely, and with the assistance of the proctors. In short, it appears that this person is the key to an entire enterprise of fraud." He inclined his head.
    "Once again, Korval is shown to be a champion of Liad."
    Aelliana sipped her tea, her brain racing. Ran Eld had signed a note—signed a note after he had been made clanless, ceding half the