Dorran Stonewake waited beside The Sixth Knot when Five Knots returned from their morning supply run.
The dwarf sponsor stood beneath the airship's starboard wing with two Ironcloud investigators and a sealed document case. Dock workers moved cargo around them without slowing. No one attempted to conceal the meeting, which told Tessa that Dorran wanted witnesses to see the authorities rather than imagine another private dispute.
"The manifests were genuine." He said once the party descended.
Kesh glanced toward the investigators. "All of them?"
"Enough."
The taller investigator introduced himself as Inspector Marrik. He wore no armor beyond a reinforced coat and carried a bronze authority plate at his belt. His partner, a younger dwarf named Olna, held the case.
Neither asked whether Five Knots destroyed the slaver vessel.
Marrik began with the documents.
