"I wanted to know how a fool became Master Trader," she repeated.

She pulled the Master Trader's ring from her thumb and held it out.

Of course the Master Trader could have just been puffing.

But the Master Trader had left one thing out.

The Master Trader would never have given you world dominion.

"Precisely so, Master Trader," the customer said, his voice quick and light.

He did take a deep breath, to center himself, which might have been too long, since the Master Trader murmured.

"Master Trader," she murmured and faded away into the crowd.

"Master Trader, the captain bids me deliver this message to you."

"Master Trader," the first mate inclined her head slightly.