The treasure grew smaller when its owners stood beside it.
Drake watched Nell Arden open a dry tool case at the root-islet anchorage. Her mark sat inside the handle, where she had put it before anyone decided her best use was carrying water beneath a locked passage.
“Trade stock,” she said.
It moved outside the commercial pile.
A loose tool inside another case had two claimants. That stayed under review rather than going to the first person who sounded certain.
Lyra separated confirmed personal effects from the surviving cargo account. Ordinary traders owned some crates. Other goods had been purchased from involuntary tribute. A small group of earlier wreck recoveries had no established claimant yet.
None became abandoned because Vorr had taken a boat.
Ruth identified the parts the captured transport needed while people still depended on its watches and safe movement.
