Not long after Liu Qian entered the Palace, Rollo brought two travel-worn captains for an audience.
Liu Qian recognized one of them: Corlien Sasmung, captain of the Dance of Shyara, who had formerly served under Salladhor Saan.
The other was a typical Tyroshi, with slightly greasy, long brown hair hanging loose. His most striking feature was the tuft of beard on his chin, dyed a vivid emerald green, which lent his ordinary face a touch of cunning and rakishness.
Rollo introduced him respectfully. "Your Majesty, this is Morio Tumitis, captain of the Storm Dancer. He has made his living amid the winds and waves of the Narrow Sea for over thirty years and has four ships under his command. Sometimes he transports passengers and cargo, and sometimes..."
Rollo paused and looked at Morio.
Morio immediately supplied, "I do things that are less respectable."
He spoke frankly, watching Liu Qian's reaction.
Liu Qian regarded Morio with interest. Those less respectable activities he mentioned were probably things like smuggling.
Morio stepped forward, displaying a smuggler's characteristic cunning, and said softly, "Your esteemed Majesty, I wonder whether you might be interested in a business proposition."
"Let's hear it," Liu Qian asked curiously.
Morio smiled. "Your Majesty, I travel between both shores of the Narrow Sea, most often frequenting the North. As everyone knows, legitimate trade offers slim profits. A single storm could bankrupt me, so I took my chances, smuggling considerable quantities of timber out of the North even at the risk of losing my head. Much of the lumber Lord Rollo used to buy on the black market in Spearhaft came from my ships.
"But over the past few months, we discovered some unusual creatures in a certain place. Perhaps they could fetch a good price from you."
Liu Qian spoke plainly.