Her words stilled him.

She wanted to say something more, but choked on the memories. "Ah," he said. "I recall you saying that no woman who has lost a child fears death, for she has already died once. You were speaking of your own daughter?"

She couldn't look at him, so she kept her gaze on Piper. "Heather. Heather Redwing Ermine." Her voice was husky, but suddenly she wanted to tell him. "Her father murdered her when she was three, because she annoyed him. She was born deaf, you see, and he didn't like that."

"Sweet Va above." His shocked whisper was barely audible. He knelt beside her, but didn't touch her.

She bowed her head over Piper and continued, unable to stop now that she had started. "I only found out much later that he'd killed her. When I realised, I tried to run, but he came after me. I pushed him down the stairs. Killing him wasn't something I'd planned, but I'm glad I did. He was going to murder me, else. I fled. The next day, at the Melforn shrine, I was granted my witchery and I met the Princess Mathilda."

There was a long silence. Then he pulled them both towards him, held them close, rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry," he said. "I'm so terribly sorry."

She felt his breath on her hair, and her heart pounded. More than anything she wanted to raise her face to his, to have him kiss her.

Fool. He's not right for you. You're lonely, and so is he.

She moved her head so she could look at him. "Are we just puppets, Saker?" As she spoke her anger built. "It's as if we're just here to dance to the tune that Va plays for us, our strings pulled by witchery and dagger magic and shrine guardians for some purpose we can't even guess! A game played by greater powers, with us as the counters on their board. I don't understand why I'm here on board his ship. I don't understand why Piper is here. I don't know why I have this witchery. You were a witan of Va, so tell me! Give me some answers."

But she knew before he spoke that he didn't have a reply that would satisfy her.

He said, "All I know is we have to try to make things better. We have to fight for what appears right to us. Sometimes we fail, and when that happens, we just have to pick ourselves up and try again."

"Do you believe in the power of prayer?" she asked, knowing he would hear her ire in the way she said the words. "Because I've done an awful lot of praying and I don't hear any answers."

He made an odd sound that was almost a laugh, as if her question amused him in some visceral, ironic way. "Well, I think it helps us. I just don't think we get the answers we want."

She started to laugh. "Oh, Va-hells, Saker. What the pox are we going to do?"

He held up a hand to silence her. "Hush, I think I hear a boat."

They both looked out over the bulwarks to where a lantern was bobbing across the water towards them, accompanied by the splash of oars. He rose and helped her to her feet.

"Probably Lustgrader coming back," she whispered hurriedly.

"Odd he didn't call Russmon to come to him."

"He took something with him, all wrapped up in canvas, long and thin."

Saker was stilled. "Oh, rot it. It couldn't have been the bambu, could it?"

17.

A Second Murder

Once Sorrel had left the weather deck down the aft companionway, Saker, worried, headed towards the forward hatchway. Just then the ship's bell rang, signalling the change of watch.

At the top of the steps he ran into several seamen, including Ardhi, coming up from below. The lascar grabbed him and pulled him deep into the shadow of the sloping base of the bowsprit while the other men disappeared into the gloom towards the stern. "I've been looking for you everywhere," he whispered in Pashali.

He answered in the same language. "Where are you going?"

"We're on watch. I have to go up in the crow's nest."

"Now? Why? We're at anchor!"

"In case someone tries to sneak on board to steal something. Karradar is home to half the scum of the known world, or so the scuttlebutt says. There are four of us on watch tonight." He snorted. "They always give me the crow's nest, but I like it up there. But that's not important. Saker, there's something wrong."

"Keep your voice down. The captain is about to come aboard astern. He was across on Sentinel." He glanced behind, but the pinnace was coming in on the portside, while he and Ardhi were on the starboard. He doubted they'd be seen. "What is it?"

"The kris won't stay still. Look!" He pulled the dagger from its sheath, and sure enough, it writhed across his palm until he clamped his other hand over it. "You can't see the colour in this light, but it's twisting with red. That means trouble."

"Pox on't!" His dismay ratcheted up a notch. "Could it be something to do with Sorrel intending to leave the ship? I promised her I'd ask Lord Juster if he'd find a berth for her."

"I thought you could persuade her to come with us-"

He gave a deliberately hollow laugh. "Sorrel Redwing has a mind of her own. Not that I blame her for being disinclined to go to the Summer Seas."

"The kris wants her with us."

"Leave her alone, Ardhi. That woman has had more trouble in the last couple of years than most people get in a lifetime. And she deserved none of it."

Ardhi winced. "I don't decide these things."

"She just told me that Lustgrader went across to Sentinel with something long and thin wrapped in canvas. I was wondering if that might be the bambu with the plume inside. Perhaps that's what the dagger is fussing about?"

Ardhi thought about that before replying. "Taking the plume somewhere else doesn't change anything."

"It would if he was gifting it away, though, wouldn't it?" And if he does that, my power over him ends.

"Would he give it to the captain of Sentinel?"

"I don't think so. Oh, pox, wait a moment. If he figured out how the magic works, and wanted a way to rid himself of the compulsion without harming someone, Captain Russmon would be a good choice. The man is under his orders anyway. Cankers and galls, I don't know. You tell me."

"He's had weeks to think about it," Ardhi pointed out. "And a strong man can override its seduction. You did."

"I guess I'll find out tomorrow. I'll be able to tell by the way he treats me."

"I think you ought to get off the ship tonight."

He snorted. "It's a long swim to shore."

"I doubt they'll hoist the pinnace back on board again tonight."

"You're suggesting I steal the pinnace? Come on, you just told me there's a full watch tonight. I'd be spotted in a thrice."

Ardhi clasped his hands to his head in a gesture of helpless indecision. "And if you stay and he is no longer under your influence, he'll kill you. Saker, do you remember how angry you were with me when you realised what my gift of the plume did to you? There was a time when you would have happily strangled me. Do you think Lustgrader will ever forgive you?"

He thought about that, tried to think dispassionately about a man he'd grown to dislike. One conclusion came to mind: Lustgrader was not a forgiving man.

"He's not just the captain of this ship; he's commander of this fleet," Ardhi added quietly. "I've been a sailor for the Lowmians long enough to know that, on his ship, the captain is a king. He can kill you in any fashion that pleases him, and there's no law to stop him. He is the law."

"Let's not overreact. We don't even know what he was carrying when he left the ship, let alone what he was going to do with it. It could have been anything. And I am not one of his crew. I'm employed by the man who owns this vessel. The man who pays Lustgrader's wages. Kesleer."

"Doesn't matter. If he rids himself of the plume's witchery, you're a dead man."

"I doubt Captain Lustgrader is going to send a sailor to knife me in the middle of the night. Ardhi, if I am in that much trouble, so is Sorrel, and I can't see any way I can get her off the ship without someone seeing. I won't sleep in my hammock, all right? I'll find somewhere else, and I'll sleep with my sword."

The officer on watch bellowed Ardhi's name; Ardhi muttered something in his own tongue that sounded like an imprecation, and disappeared up the shrouds.

Saker left the weather deck, cursing to himself. He was worried; that fobbing dagger had signalled timely warnings far too often for him to ignore another. If there was trouble, he needed an escape route. The galley, he thought, behind the stove. No one will think of looking for me there. There was a small rubbish hatch from which he could wriggle through into the sea if escape was necessary.

But what about Sorrel?

Lord Juster Dornbeck came up onto the deck of Golden Petrel just at sunrise. Usually, if he saw the sun come up when he was in port, it was because he hadn't yet been to bed. Not this time. In the Karradar Islands, he was disinclined to drink too much, or sleep too much. In this particular island group, poised as it was between the Va-cherished and the Va-forsaken Hemispheres but belonging to neither, the watchful lived longer.

I have to admit, though, dawn does have something to recommend it. The bay looks confoundedly pretty at this time of the day.

He nodded to the seaman on watch on the poop deck. "You can go below, Dolf. Break your fast."

"Aye, aye, sir."

He let his gaze wander over the ship and still felt a familiar delight. Beggar me speechless if she isn't a beautiful maid!

He'd been more than satisfied with the voyage from Ardrone. Golden Petrel was fast and answered the helm better than any ship he'd previously captained.

He leaned on the taffrail to gaze through his spyglass at the fleet that had arrived the previous afternoon, all Lowmian ships flying Lowmian flags. He'd sent one of his small boats over there with several of his crew posing as islanders with goods to sell and they'd come back with not only the names of all the vessels, but a lot of other useful detail, like how many cannons each had, and what poundage. His master's mate, who was always drawing on a slate, or paper if he could get it, had sketched all four ships in detail for him.

Juster had studied all the drawings. A fifth vessel, a carrack, had joined them some time during the night, he noted. He'd send someone over there to have a look at that one too, but he was sure this was the first fleet sent, not by Kesleer's company, but by the Lowmian Spicerie Trading Company. It was in no danger from him now. They had no cargo to tempt him.

Later, out on the high seas, anything could happen. Ah, Saker, I'm sorry, but it will come to a sea battle one day.

He thought of the young witan often, and the man's condemnation of privateering as blatant piracy. Strange how they'd become such good friends when they believed in different things and had so little in common. But he'd liked Saker. Indeed, he'd laughed out loud when he'd heard how King Edwayn's men had gone to the shrine where Saker was supposed to have died, only to find empty manacles still attached to the treeand no bones. The witan led a charmed life.

I wonder what you did with my rubies. I hope you're safe, my friend, wherever you are.

In the morning, Sorrel packed up everything she had, ready to leave. Banstel, the ship's boy, brought her breakfast and Piper's goat's milk in her tiny cuddy, as usual.

When the lad returned to collect her plate and mug an hour later, he said, "Message fer you from the cap'n, mistress. He says come up on deck with the babe and your things. He's sending you ashore in the dinghy."

"Oh, but I haven't spoken to Mynster Heron! He was arranging for me to-He was arranging what I need ashore."

"I'll find him and tell him what's betide, if you like, ma'am. But I wouldn't keep the cap'n waiting, if I was you. His face would sour beer this morn. Right proper foul! If you'll give me your belongings, I'll take them topside now."

There wasn't much. It was the work of a moment to wrap all she possessedand all that Piper hadinto a bundle. She handed it over and said, "Look for Mynster Heron. I'll go to the captain."

He took the bundle and left. She picked up Piper, who'd been squirming across the floor holding a toy rabbit Banstel had carved her, then gave one last look around. Hardly more than a storage cupboard, it had been her home for months; her haven where at least she'd felt safe. In contrast, what lay ahead was scarily vague; she was about to enter a world of which she knew nothing.

Piper giggled and waved her rabbit, as if she thought they were heading somewhere better.

Captain Lustgrader was standing next to the pilot ladder, waiting for her. The roped wooden steps led down to the ship's dinghy, now bobbing on choppy water at the foot. About half the size of the pinnace, it was manned by two seamen. Her bundle of belongings was stowed under the aft seat, but neither Saker nor Banstel were anywhere to be seen.

Life with her husband, Rikard Ermine, had taught her the wisdom of masking her emotions and feigning unquestioning obedience, so she schooled her face into impassivity and curtsied. "My thanks, captain, for your forbearance. May Va reward you. Would it be possible for me to bid Factor Heron farewell?"

His eyes narrowed. What she read in them made her take an involuntary step backwards; there was no mistaking the burning hatred. "I am gratified to be able to inform you that Factor Heron is chained in the brig, and there he will remain until I deal with him. You are lucky not to be there as well."

For a moment she couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't think what to do.

He's going to kill Saker. Va help us. Oh, Saker.

"Have you nothing to say, mistress?"

"I doubt you'd recognise the truth if you heard it, captain. My presence on your ship was not of my making. The child and I were victims of Va-forsaken sorcery, too."

He snorted, disbelieving and indifferent. "Just get off my vessel, you hussy."

She gave him stare for stare, but read nothing of compassion in his eyes. She'd never needed courage more, and never felt less brave. "And Factor Heron?" she asked.

"A dead man, mistress, as good as." He was jeering at her, reminiscent of Rikard at his nastiest. "On that you have my word, and on board ship, my word is law. As you will find if you don't remove yourself from my presence. Now."

She raised her chin, still locking her gaze on his. "Safe voyage, captain," she said, her voice grating roughly to her ears. "Go with Va. Temper your anger with mercy, I beg you."

He walked away without another word. She turned to look down at the sailboat, wondering how she could manage with Piper in her arms. The wind was catching the steps and dancing them against the side of the ship. She turned, searching for Ardhi, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"Lad, take the babe down." It was the officer of the watch speaking. He nodded to her and waved a hand at Banstel, who'd just arrived on deck.

"I'll bring her to you," Banstel said, then, as she handed Piper over, he added in a whisper, "The factor's in the brig."

"I know." She turned away to descend the wooden steps, clinging tightly to the rope handrail, remembering to keep her glamour of skirts even as she was grateful for the sailor's culottes she wore. As she stepped into the dinghy, she glanced at the seaman holding the ladder to stop it from drifting away from the mother ship. The look he gave her was not reassuring. His name was Fels, and she knew he'd once been disciplined by Mate Tolbun for hitting Banstel too hard and blackening the lad's eyes so badly he could hardly see out of them for several days.

Banstel followed her down, and she held out her arms to take Piper from him as soon as she'd seated herself. Fels, leering at her, deliberately rocked the boat so that Banstel stumbled just as he handed the child across. Piper startled and began to cry.

Fels laughed. "Pity you didn't drop that one overboard! Reckon there's a scent of the uncanny about you and your ill-gotten brat."

Piper halted her crying and turned to stare at him, her blue eyes wide and stark, as if she could feel his contempt. Sorrel murmured reassurance, touching her lips to Piper's forehead. Her heart was beating wildly. Saker needed help, and Ardhi was nowhere to be seen.

The second seaman was already hauling on the halyard to bring the single sail up, and she'd noticed him before too, a ruffian with a twisted scar across his cheek from a recent shipboard knife fight. He also had a penchant for making Banstel the butt of his nastiness.

Perhaps not only Saker is in trouble here...