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“My lord?” Fornella pro hair was tied up today, drawn back fro nuhtly wrapped shawl she conveyed the appearance of a co her for the captain’s wife The thought provoked h

Fornella frowned in annoyance but refused to be diverted “She did, didn’t she? She knew about you and the Hope”

I shrugged, giving a slight nod She glanced at the captain and edged closer “Pay the pirate to take us away from here”

“We have a mission to perform, Honoured Citizen”

“Not at the expense of your life”

“I gave my life to the E with ine she’ll listen?”

“I know she will What she does afterwards is more of a mystery”

We docked at one of the e of the harbour, the captain being obliged to pay double the nor fee to a harassed junior port official

“I’m on official business frorowled “That’s got to be worth a discount at least”

“You’ve also got a hold full of spice,” the young official replied “And space is at a premium” He handed the captain a chit for the berth then held up his hand in expectation

“Is there a problea step with rapidly paling features “You are Lord Verniers,” he breathed

I was accustomed to a certain notoriety in the better-educated corners of the empire, but it was usually confined to politely spoken compliments or requests for attendance at various learned functions So the sight of the pale-faced bureaucrat stu and running along the wharf was so, his return a short time later even more so, since he was accompanied by a squad of soldiers They proceeded towards the ship at a run, the young official trotting in their wake and gesticulating wildly as he called to the surrounding stevedores “The traitor! The traitor returns!”

“I think, Captain,” I said, hefting plank “You had best be on your way”

“Ship Lords told h his shrewd eyes betrayed a deep concern at the corateful for your efforts” I extended a hand, expecting hiret

“Luck to you, honoured sir,” he said in surprisingly good Alpiran

“And you, honoured sir” I glanced at Fornella, seeing how fearfully she eyed the approaching soldiers “I should be grateful if you would take her back to the Realm”

“No” Fornella took a deep breath anda smile “We have athe captain hound his crew into frantic motion as they hauled oars to push the theent drumbeat

“What was its naht to ask” I turned as the soldiers came to a halt a short distance away They were conscript infantry judging by their armour, half a dozen youths under the coeant

“Your na forward, hard eyes intent on my face

“Lord Verniers Alishe Sorowled,closer with his hand on his sword “Not now you aren’t”

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