“The court of Tsaia has appointed me to take over his domain, with his blessing,” Arcolin said, handing over the relevant documents. Paltis bent over them, lips moving as he read. “I’m here to see you about our winter quarters. We will need some of the space this coming winter.”

Paltis looked up. “But—but I just told the Blues they were first on the list.”

“I believe, if you check the contract you had with Kieri, that our Company is always first on the list.”

“Yes, but—but you haven’t been here, and if he’s no longer the legitimate owner—”

Arcolin let his voice chill. “You’ve dealt with me before, as his senior captain; you have before you his word in his writing—and the authority of the Council in Tsaia—that I am now authorized to use any of his property as he himself would. I claim precedence to the winter quarters and if you wish to remain factor … you will comply. Else I’ll see a judicar this very hour.”

Paltis drooped, as Arcolin expected. “Maybe—maybe the Blues can squeeze into the other two-thirds.”

“In addition,” Arcolin said, “the Blues are not approved at all.”

“But they pay well,” Paltis said.

“They treat their wounded badly,” Arcolin said. “I will not have them mingling with my people.”

“Your people?”

“They are now,” Arcolin said. “And I intend to take care of them. Cancel whatever agreement you have with the Blues; tell them the owner’s back in the south and needs the space.”

“But—what about the rest of it—surely you want to lease some of it—”

“I’ll decide that later,” Arcolin said. “Our contract’s with Cortes Vonja—you can send me messages there, if you need to.”

“The Blues will be angry.” Paltis looked worried.

“Only if you tell them why I don’t want them. And surely you have more discretion than to tell them that, don’t you?” Arcolin put a little menace in his voice; the factor stepped back a pace.

“Of course I wouldn’t, Captain.”

“If you say what I told you, that the owner required the space, and your contract with the owner requires you to release it, they may be annoyed, but they won’t be angry with you. It’s in the contract; you’re a man of business; you hold to contracts.”

“Yes … that’s true. Well, then, what about renting to caravans for short-term in the summer? I’ve done that; they stay only a few days, on their way north or south, and they clean up after themselves.” Paltis looked at Arcolin, glanced away. “It covers the cost of a watchman, their fee does.”

Arcolin knew the Duke had allowed caravans to use the winter quarters during the campaign season. “You may do that for this season,” he said. “But no long-term contracts. I may require the space some years. Deposit the rental fees at Kavarthin & Sons, as usual.”

“I will,” Paltis said, bowing. “Of course I will.” Something about his tone made Arcolin doubt him.

Arcolin rode across the city, more familiar to him than Vérella, noticing the changes two years had brought. Though the market square stalls were open for business and traders cried their wares, he sensed tension, and few children played there, where they’d been always underfoot before.