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The Wanderer was under way, though only the foresails and mizzen were raised The sailors worked silently, apparently aiet the ship into a different position before dawn The Blackguards were gathered on deck around Commander Ironfist

"Hoell did you study those black cards, Kip?" Commander Ironfist asked

"Sir?" Commander Ironfist had seen the new cards, but how did he know about the black cards?

"Not many secrets on Little Jasper, Kip"

"Uh, pretty well, sir"

"You see any of the apotheosis cards?"

"I have no idea what that means, sir"

"Maybe they’re just a rumor, then Never seen any of them myself"

The commander moved to address everyone, but Kip interjected, "Sir? Um, I know that after ere inducted, there wasn’t really ti I wanted to--I’uess? Teia’s owner, anyway"

"Are you worried about your payout? Now?"

"No, sir! I et it all I didn’t even really realize until ere fighting the Gargantua that if I died she wouldn’t get anything She needs it more than the Guiles do, sir" Kip was suddenly embarrassed, and he wasn’t co moment, then nodded It would be taken care of He turned to the Blackguards "All right, form up" He barely raised his voice, but everyone moved smoothly into rows They put the trainees like Kip up front Commander Ironfist picked up a bohere a fistful of shiny black berries had been crushed "Trainees," he said "I expect some of you have full pupil control, but if you don’t, dab a finger in this and touch the corner of each eye One dab will serve for both eyes It’s belladonna It’ll dilate your pupils for you It should wear off by full sunrise, but you’ll be extreht until then More isn’t better This stuff’ll o blind" He handed the bowl around, and aler in Kip drew out his sub-red spectacles instead