“Danjin. I was not expecting you to come. Father says your duties at the Temple keep you from attending most family gatherings.”

“Not tonight,” Danjin replied. And how could I miss the opportunity to be scornfully ignored or made the butt of your jokes?

The old man moved to a long bench and sat down. The rest of the family paused, waiting to be invited to sit. Fa-Spear waved a hand.

“Sit. Sit,” he said, as if their formality embarrassed him. Yet Danjin knew any deviation from this ritual of manners always infuriated his father. They sat at places long established by family tradition: Theran on Fa-Spear’s right, Nirem and his wife on his left, Gohren next to Theran, and Danjin furthest from his father beside Nirem’s wife.

As a succession of delicacies were brought by female servants the conversation turned to trade. Danjin forced himself to listen, and remained prudently silent. He had long ago learned to avoid joining these discussions. Any observation or question he made on the subject of trade was examined as proof of his ignorance of such matters.

No matter how silent he remained, his father always made a point of discussing Danjin’s work. As Theran finished a long description of a successful deal, Fa-Spear looked up at his youngest son.

“I do not see our adviser to the White gaining as much profit from serving the Temple.” Fa-Dyer gestured at the walls. “If you are so important to the Circlians, why is it that a mere merchant lives in better conditions than you? You must ask for an increase in your allowance when you next see your employer. When will that be?”

“Auraya has left for Si, Father,” Danjin replied. “To negotiate an alliance.”

His father’s eyebrows rose. “You did not accompany her?”

“The mountains of Si are not easily crossed by landwalkers.”

“Landwalkers?”

“It is what the Siyee call ordinary humans.”

His father sniffed. “How uncouth. Perhaps it is fortunate she left you behind. Who knows what unsavory habits these people have?” He popped a morsel of food into his mouth then wiped his hands on a cloth a servant girl held out for him.

“If the Si do ally themselves with Hania, you may see more of them here. They will install an ambassador and others will visit in order to seek education, join the priesthood, or trade.”

His father’s gaze sharpened. He chewed, swallowed, then took a sip of water.

“What do they have to trade?”

Danjin smiled. “That is one of the questions Auraya intends to answer.”

Fa-Spear’s eyes narrowed. “There is opportunity here, son. You may not have a decent income, but if you take advantage of opportunities like this that issue may not matter.”

Danjin felt a flash of indignation. “I cannot use my position to gain trade advantages.”

His father snorted. “Don’t be such a righteous fool. You won’t be adviser forever.”