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Later that morning, a page delivers to Lilly a letter sealed with the crest of St Cyr and written in Lucas' elegantly flowing hand.
My Dearest Cousin,
The opportunity for exploration of which we spoke last night has most unexpectedly arisen. If you are still desirous of my most unworthy company, I shall be delighted to have your participation. Indeed, I await it with the eagerest anticipation.
Discretion must needs be our watchword.
Respond if you are still of the same mind to cast your fortunes with
Your most devoted cousin
Lucas
Lilly reads the note through several times before sitting down to write her response.
Dear Lucas,
My mind is still set. We can arrange a meeting to discuss details at your convenience or just send word of the time and location of our departure and I shall meet you then. I shall keep things as quiet as possible.
Until then,
Lilly
Lucas receives this letter - and burns it without replying. He's of a mind to notify Lilly when - and only when - they are nearly ready to depart.
After talking with Hannah, Lucas takes a stroll down to the harbour to meet Opal Hardwind.
Opal Hardwind smiles when she sees Lucas, unconvincingly. "Good day my Lord, I trust you are well?"
"Blooming," says Lucas. "As I trust you are too - which I am judging from the roguish twinkle in your eye. And business ... I am here to add to your continuing success in those fields by commissioning or - if you prefer - purchasing a second ship. Luxurious appointments, yes ... this is, after all, moi. A gallant and experienced crew."
For a moment, the languid mask doesn't drop ... but it is lowered.
"I'm looking for the best," says Lucas quietly. "And so ... I'm coming to the best to get it."
She looks at him, eyebrows raised. "I happen to have a ship that can be made ready in a day or so. I hear that many people are leaving or looking to leave the castle after what happened up there.
"Should the ship be the one I am preparing for my household? Is it time, then to consider leaving Amber?"
"That depends," says Lucas, "on whether the head of the household trumps the businesswoman.
"Yes, it is time to consider leaving Amber - and my recommendation would be that you do it in the fastest ship of your line - ready to depart amongst the last as soon as you see all your other vessels profitably loaded - and then capable of slipping through the fleet so that you are among the first to arrive, and receive the grateful thanks of the King of Xanadu.
"So far the blood of my admirably pragmatic fathers would advise you. For myself ... I could play the romantic and suggest we two could take a more scenic route to Xanadu. But that would lose you the grateful thanks of the King - and would place us both under the censorious eyes of two of my cousins who will accompany me ... I doubt it would be a wholly pleasant voyage."
She looks at him, staring hard for a moment, before lowering her gaze. "When you put it so starkly, the choice is obvious, and I will not lie to you for romantic sentimentalism's sake. Tell me of Xanadu. What does it need? How can I distinguish the Hardwinds from the other grasping merchant clans?"
"By driving a hard but fair bargain, by placing your best ship at the disposal of the king, and by showing a readiness to work your incomparable backside off for the cause of Xanadu," says Lucas with rare bluntness. "You know, it really is incomparable ... do you think, after all ... no. I suppose not."
Opal Hardwind raises her eyebrows.
He moves to a convenient table and spreads out his map of Xanadu. "This is the port - this the beginnings of the harbour. Your first cargo will be people - they'll be immigrants so you can pack 'em tight. But not so tight that half die off - they'll be your first customers, and you want them to land singing your praises, determined to buy their goods from House of Hardwind and developing a wistful desire to take a Hardwind Sunset Cruise around the islands as in their declining years.
"Once you've landed them, the thing will be to keep them supplied. That will be food - staples to begin with until they can grow sufficient to feed themselves. Construction gear - but more important, perhaps, tools. There's a level of sophistication in Xanadu that surpasses Amber; you may be looking for a greater level of technological advance ... are you still with me?"
"Yes. I've been out to other places." She doesn't take her eyes from the map.
"But the basics will still be needed - axes, spades, hoes. You can worry about pile drivers, concrete mixers and cultivators when the place is more established. And then you can start to build the luxury trade as well although - and forgive me if I'm preaching the bleedingly obvious here - I'd always devote a small proportion of every cargo to establishing a luxury trade. People need their circuses to leaven their bread and, again, they won't forget those that supply them - unless, of course, they can buy the same goods cheaper elsewhere."
She nods, letting him continue without interruption.
"You'll be one of the first people on the spot, and that will be one of your primary strengths. I'd put factors ashore - as soon as you can - who can keep a weather eye on the way the markets are running. I'll have a man in place; he's shrewd, and will advise you accordingly, should you wish for help. I'll also supply you with a note of introduction to my cousin Hannah. She's new, so you'll have no history with her. She's tough and strong but fair-minded; you could work well with her or alienate her entirely, so be careful. Be straight and honest with her - she's no fool, and unlikely to be impressed by court manners. But she's going to be in a position of significant importance in Xanadu. Being on her team would be a coup that would put you in a position of strength. After that, it will be up to you to make of it what you can."
"Hannah," she says. Perhaps to help her remember the name, or Lucas' pronunciation.
And as they are standing so close, bending over the table together, Lucas reaches out and lifts one dark curl to reveal the long smooth line of her neck. He moves closer, so that his warm breath falls on the pale skin. It is, after all, almost a day since he said farewell to Solace - and a good five hours since he parted with Silken. And he has nobly sacrificed the chance to grapple with this splendid filly for a good few months.
So grappling happens now ...
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LV: Another Female Visitor for Lucas | Index | LVII: Setting Sail
