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He left unsaid the words he had hammered into the boy privately The dockave the wo look, then released her She fell purple-faced to the boardwalk, coughing and gasping for air He pointed his spear at her

"Are you Dockmaster Isa?" he demanded "Know that if I find you have lied to e to the spear"

"Isa was my father," the woman said, "dead six winters today I ae was burned"

Jayan stared at her, considering, but Abban, who had been watching the other prisoners as well, was already convinced

"Sharum Ka," he said "You have taken Docktown for the Skull Throne Is it not ti?"

Jayan looked at him This was a plan they had discussed in detail "Yes," he said at last

Horns were blown, and the Sharuers toward the docks at spearpoint to watch as Dockpole andvessel on a field of blue--and raise the Krasian standard, spears crossed before the setting sun

It was a purely syesture, but an important one Jayan could now spare the ree, and accede her status as a princess of the chin without appearing weak

"A wo"

"Everything, and nothing, Sharum Ka," Abban said "Man or woman, the dockmaster has information and connections, and her treatment will influence those in power in the city on the lake Let the powerful think they will keep their titles and holdings, and they will deliver their own people to us on a platter"

"What is the point of taking the city, if I let the chin keep it?" Jayan asked

"Taxes," Khevat said

Abban bowed in agreement "Let the chin keep their boats and bend their backs to the fishing nets But when they co to you"

Jayan shook his head "This dockmistress can keep her title, but the fish will be mine I will take her as Jiwah Sen"

"Sharues!" Khevat cried "Surely you cannot truly mean to taint your divine blood with the caed "I have a Kaji son and Jiwah Ka to carry on my blood My father kne to tame the chin, as he did with the tribes of Krasia Beco Mistress Leesha keep her title before she accepted, giving her liberty to refuse I will not be so foolish"

Abban coughed nervously "Sharureat Dahout all Krasia Your father acknowledged Mistress Leesha’s title and gave her liberty, for a child’s claiitiive her, then she has no title for you to claim"

Jayan rolled his eyes "Talk and worry, worry and talk It’s all you old men do Sharak Ka will be ith action"

Abban turned his own eye roll away as Khevat took a turn