He decided to pay a last visit to the banker’s—they opened when the market did—and ask his opinion of Paltis.

“Oh, Paltis is good enough of his type,” Fenin Kavarthin said. He offered Arcolin a mug of sib; courtesy required taking at least a sip. “He makes his profit from his commission, as I’m sure you know, and so he wants to lease to the wealthiest he can find. Brings in a trickle to the Duke—my apologies, Captain. To you now—after the tax the city takes, and his fee.”

“How often does he deposit here?”

“You’re doubting him, I see. I cannot help you, if you wonder whether he’s stealing from the Duke—from you. I never see the contracts; he keeps those. All I see is what he sends to the account. He leases for the entire winter season and I can expect a deposit for the reservation fee, then on arrival, the day before Midwinter Feast, and the Spring Evener. Summer leases are variable—some caravans rent the place for only a night, some for a hand of days. I may see a deposit four or five times during the summer.”

“But you aren’t sure how many summer contracts he makes, or what he charges—?”

“No. That is not my duty.” Kavarthin pressed his lips together.

“Quite,” Arcolin said. “I meant no discourtesy.”

“Those not in our field sometimes think it extends to anything having to do with money,” Kavarthin said. “I am not offended that you ask, but making clear where our responsibility ends. We keep your money safe.”

“For which I am grateful,” Arcolin said. “On another matter—are you still affiliated with the Merchants’ Guild? We heard rumors in the north that some banks are now refusing reciprocity.”

“We have our agreements. Things have changed since you were last here, but in Cortes Vonja … if you want to deposit funds with Kostin, he has been reliable so far. Our greatest concern now is that some Guild League cities are minting inferior coins. Cortes Vonja and Pler Vonja, so far, have not done so. Should you wish to send funds here, I would advise a heavier guard. Travel on the Guild League trade roads is not as safe as it was five years ago.”

“Thank you,” Arcolin said, draining his cup of sib. “Thank you for your advice.”

“If you want someone to check on Paltis—”

“Not at this time,” Arcolin said. “It’s just that it’s been several years since anyone went over the accounts with him.”

“Just so. One of my sons, grown up in our business, can be hired for that work. There are others, of course, and I will not say he is better than others or it will seem a father’s favor, but because this bank handles the money of several mercenary companies, he is familiar with military finances.”

“I will consider that, Master Kavarthin. Perhaps it will be as well to wait until we return—”

“If you truly suspect your factor has been cheating you,” Kavarthin said, “it would be well to catch him out before he changes his records.”