Signed by the authors.
Jethri Gobelyn has risen far: from despised youngest on a Terran
family Loop ship to second trader on premier Liaden tradeship Elthoria
under the guidance of his unlikely foster-mother Norn ven'Deelin Clan
Ixin. Master Trader ven'Deelin has taught Jethri much, and she expects
great things from him. Indeed, one might say she demands them. Jethri
has inherited a mission from his father, a plan that will allow family
Loop ships like the one he grew up on to survive the encroachment of
Rostov's Dust. In this, he's backed by several prominent Looper
families who are scheduled to meet and plan at the South Axis Trade
Fair. In what seems to be a fortunate pairing of missions, Master
Trader ven'Deelin sees Jethri become lead trader on his own small
ship, which is scheduled to arrive at the South Axis
Fair. Unfortunately, that "fortunate coincidence" may instead be a
test of Jethri's loyalties, as he's thrust into a tangle of
gray-trading, mistaken identity, misinformation, and galactic
politics. |