“If I might—” Master-trader Palloton held up his hand; the king nodded. “I heard from a trader in Harway that King Kieri is considering improving the River Road into Lyonya and also reopening the Middle Way that crosses Verrakai lands.”

“Indeed we are,” Arian said. “We would like to see easier travel between our realms.” She said nothing about the port. Had he heard rumors of that?

“With the Pargunese weakened, do you think it might be possible to transport goods from your river towns all the way to the sea? Even to Aarenis? Does the river freeze over below the great falls? I suppose you know that the pass to Valdaire cannot be traveled in winter or even half of spring.”

“As to that, I have little knowledge,” Arian said. “The Pargunese traded that far in their ships, I do know. The river freezes in winter between us and Pargun, but not solidly until near Midwinter, and flows again by the Spring Evener. We, too, have thought of attempting to use it for trade.”

“You certainly have the timber to build ships,” Palloton said. “I’m sure a shipwright from Aarenis would be glad to get his hands on such trees.”

Arian had not thought of that. Build their own ships? Cut down Lyonya’s precious forest for ships?

“What about a place to load and unload?” Duke Serrostin asked. “Do you have river ports?”

“Not real ports,” Arian said. “Lyonya had not engaged in river and sea trade before. Torfinn told us of a port the Pargunese built up one of the tributaries.” Kieri had not wanted her to bring up the idea of a port until theirs was well under way.

Arian could almost see the thoughts in Serrostin’s head. Tsaia had the large city, the riverside developments, but no maritime trade because of the falls that made downriver shipping impossible. Lyonya had access to the river below the falls, with no barriers between there and the ocean, but no city on the river itself and no development.

“If I might, sir king, lady queen—” Palloton began. The king nodded. “I might suggest that it could benefit both Tsaia and Lyonya if Lyonya were to build some kind of port—landing stages, warehouses—with access to the River Road, passable for wagons in most weathers.”

“Are you suggesting a joint venture?” Arian asked.

“I cannot do that, lady queen,” Palloton said with a look at the king. “I can say only that a river port, if it existed, could profit both of us.”

“Master-trader, I believe this is something you and this Council may wish to discuss without a guest present. But it is something that—if the Council made a proposal—King Kieri would be pleased to know.” She paused. No one said anything for a long moment, glances going back and forth. “If you wish, I can excuse myself now—”