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Thank the light, don't need armsmen to make trade and tariffs work, not in the city, anyway. See... there's coins in Fairhaven, and the best roads are the White highways, the ones that can take the big wagons." Layel shrugged. "So traders and exchanges are here. Smaller traders can take carts over the back roads, but most times they can't carry that much, and the Traders' Guild makes sure the road gauges are kept."
    "The road gauges?" asked Leyladin.
    Cerryl had the feeling she had asked the question for him, but he was grateful. He'd never heard of the road gauges.
    "You should remember, Daughter. If a road is more than four cubits wide, it's a highway, and the ruler must collect tariffs, and only those with the medallions may use it. See, that way, the pony traders have to go on the slow and muddy tracks that wind out of the way. And most times, a trader with fast teams and wagons is a prosperous trader, and the great highways are fast."
    Cerryl nodded. Another fact he'd not known.
    "Meridis! What have we for sweets?"
    The serving woman reappeared. "Be you ready for sweets, ser?"
    "Why'd you think I called?" Layel's stern expression dissolved into a chuckle.
    "Father ... you don't have to put on the stern front for company."
    "Can't even be master in my own dwelling, not even over sweets." The trader glanced at Cerryl. "You'll see ... leastwise, much as a mage can that way."
    "Father..."
    "Fellow ought to know." Layel turned to Meridis. "Sweets?"
    "I baked a fresh nut and custard pie."
    "Wonderful! It takes company for me to get my favorite."
    "It does not," suggested Leyladin. "You always tell poor Meridis not to bother because you'd look like a shoat if she fixed it just for you."
    "You see?" asked Layel. "An answer for everything."
    Cerryl nodded, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the banter and byplay.
    "Then let's have it."
    The empty dishes vanished into the next room, a kitchen, Cerryl thought, but he was far from certain about anything, and Meridis returned with three smaller china plates, each filled with a golden-crusted pie.
    "Try it," urged the trader.
    "It is good," added Leyladin. "Rich, but good."
    Everything felt rich to Cerryl, but he took a small bite and then a larger one. Before he fully realized it, his plate was empty.
    "See? Your mage friend agrees with me."
    "It was ... I've never tasted a sweet that good," Cerryl confessed. "In fact, I've never had a dinner so good."
    Layel and Leyladin exchanged glances, and Leyladin added, "I'm so glad you enjoyed it. The Meal Hall isn't known for good food. Most of the full mages don't eat there unless they have to for some reason or another."
    "I have noticed that," Cerryl said dryly. "I'm beginning to see why." He found himself yawning, perhaps because of the fullness in his stomach, or the warmth of the dining room, or the length of the day. "I'm sorry. It has been a long day."
    "You have to be at the gates when they open for trade?" asked Layel.
    "Yes. Otherwise they have to hold wagons until a mage arrives. I'd not want to face Kinowin if I caused that."
    "Neither would I," said Leyladin with a laugh. "Perhaps ... it may be getting late for you."
    "Don't shoo him out."
    "He has to rise early, Father."
    Cerryl held up a hand. "Your daughter is doubtless correct. I've enjoyed the meal and the company... but I do have to be up before the sun."
    Leyladin rose, and Cerryl followed her example, following her back through the house, lamps still burning in unused rooms, throwing shadows on polished and glistening floors.
    In the foyer, he eased on his jacket, thinking about the short, but certainly chill, walk back to his cold room, a room that had seemed so luxurious-until he had seen Leyladin's house.
    "What do you think?" asked Leyladin as she stood by the door.
    "About what? Your father? He cares a great deal for you."
    "Cerryl. You are as dense as that mule my father mentioned." A smile followed the words, but one that held concern, and her green eyes, dark in the