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Rue considered un However, it was on the port side, which would et a clear shot Plus she wasn’t certain they were allowed to fire on native craft while under quarantine

Instead, she looked at Quesnel with overly bright eyes "This is rather fun, isn’t it?"

"Feral little beastie, aren’t you?" Quesnel’s tone was affectionate

Primrose appeared on deck at that juncture She evaluated Tasherit froht, who’s injured?"

The crew numbered an assorts, one of the greasers had a long cut up his left shoulder and one of the sooties had fallen and broken an arm Prim did what she could She stitched the wound neatly She had a fine hand with the needle, and the man, fortunately for everyone, fainted She set the arm, such as she could

"I’ us into dangerous territory, you ought to hire someone"

"That’s fair"

Primrose blinked She hadn’t expected such rapid capitulation

Rue turned to her crew "Deckhands, I’d like one of you on duty rotation all night long, plus at least two decklings, arise I believed quarantine was an opportunity to relax but apparently not Walk the railing every half hour, please, and keep an eye below I’d rather eren’t boarded again Man the Gatling gun at any suspicious approach portside; fire a warning shot into their balloon Hang the restrictions If the authorities don’t like it, they should protect us better"

"Hear hear!" said a few voices at that

Rue continued, s her approval "Thank you all for your defensive work I hope it goes without saying that hazard pay will be forthco cheer went up The decklings began their Custard Doom war chant

Priht also consider a small complement ofabsurd And, frankly, expensive in hazard pay"

"I’ll think about it" Rue raised her voice "Bedtiestured roundly to the assembled nondeck crew

Another more half-hearted cheervictorious

Rue would not have been surprised if Paw posted a guard at her door However, Quesnel let himself in after only an hour with no impediment Paw either hadn’t set a watch or Mother had interfered

"You made it" Rue let the pleasure colour her voice, still euphoric after their battle

Quesnel tossed his hat to one corner of the roo her up like some Lothario from a novel

"Stop it, you ridiculous creature You’ll strain so"