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did not consider the marriages valid, even though they accepted such marriages in the past. They had no adequate explanation, but as near as the trade masters could tell, it had something to do with a lack of bonding between the wives and the traders. The existence of a sexual relationship and a piece of paper declaring the marriages legal are no longer enough for the Healers of Variance, it seems. They want more."
    "How much more is there?" Ridge asked blankly.
    Quintel sighed. "I'm not sure. A link, perhaps. An emotional bond between the man and the woman involved. Something understood by the woman, at least, to be more than a business arrangement. You know how women are," he added. "So emotional. Apparently, previous trade wives have been quite open with the High Healers concerning the temporary nature of the trade marriage. It would seem the Healers have begun to object. Who can fully comprehend the Healers of Variance or women in general?
    The impression I received was that they wished to deal with a woman who was not in the marriage strictly as a business partner. I think, Ridge, that by the time you reach the mountains, you had better have your trade wife bound to you with more than just a formal marriage contract. That, Trade Master, is where your talents in the art of seduction will be put to the test."
    Ridge stared at him. "I still don't understand."
    "All I'm saying, Ridge, is that you'd better try wooing the lady.
    By the time you reach the Heights of Variance, make certain she is committed to you and to the relationship. The Healers will be able to tell, and if they don't find her truly married on an emotional level, they won't deal, even if you find a way past this barrier they have erected across the pass."
    Ridge swore softly. "By the Stones, you're determined to make this venture as difficult as possible, aren't you?"
    "It's not me who's making life difficult for you. Blame those illogical, female Healers."
    "I'm supposed to make certain Kalena feels committed to me by the time we reach the mountains even though the relationship ends when we return to Crosspurposes?"
    Quintel nodded. "Yes. Even though it will end then. The process by which a woman is convinced to trust her emotions rather than her intellect is called seduction. You'd better be prepared to practice that particular art."
    Ridge laughed mirthlessly. "You may have picked the wrong man for this job, Quintel. I might be reasonably good at cutting throats for you, but seducing a woman takes real skill. I've never been especially good at it."
    "I have great confidence in you, Fire Whip. Especially with the incentive I have provided you."

    Ridge thought about the chance at the future he had always dreamed of that Quintel was offering him. "It should prove to be an interesting journey."
    "I'm sure it will be," Quintel agreed.
    Ridge contemplated the task that lay before him; then he smiled faintly as a stray thought crossed his mind. "She showed excellent manners at dinner this evening, didn't she?" He was aware of an odd sense of pride in the fact. "You'd never know she was raised on an Interlock farm."
    "Whatever her heritage, there are Healers in her family. They are a cut above the average farm House woman and they know it. Kalena has undoubtedly been given a fairly decent education and some training in manners and deportment. She did, indeed, behave herself very well this evening. A most charming guest."
    If one overlooked the fact that she seemed particularly fascinated with Quintel, Ridge thought, remembering the times he had caught Kalena covertly studying her host as they dined. Kalena's curiosity about Quintel had annoyed Ridge on some level. He would have to explain to her that even if Quintel did have a weakness for women, which he did not, he was not an option for Kalena. She was contracted to marry Ridge, and he would see to it that she abided by the terms of that contract in thought as well as deed. Nothing was going to stop him from