Saker was tiring.

They hadn't swum in a straight line to the shore. Once they'd been seen, they'd had to dodge by diving and changing direction, even doubling back. They'd split up too, Saker heading north-west, Ardhi north-east, so the further they went, the further they were apart.

A stiff breeze had patterned the surface of the water so they'd become harder to locate, but it also made the swim more difficult. Spice Winds had stopped firing at them in order to allow their boats to search, but each time he surfaced Saker was wearier. Those weeks of sailing from Ustgrind to Karradar had taken a toll on his fitness. Still, he wasn't going to give up. He took another deep breath and dived beneath the waves yet again.

Next time he surfaced, he turned on to his back and floated. He needed the rest. When the swell of a wave raised him up, he saw there were now three small boats, all uncomfortably close. At first he assumed another boat from the fleet had been launched, but then he recognised the flag at the masthead: a yellow seabird in flight on a blue background.

Va-damn. How the foaming oceans had Juster known he needed help?

There was a sudden shout from the Spice Winds' longboat. An extended arm pointed towards him and left no doubt that he'd been seen. Wearily he dived yet again. A fish darted in front of him, long and silver, with odd shaped gills and fins behind the head. He followed it as it turned, not knowing why. When he rose again all the boats were closer, with the Lowmian pinnace almost on top of him. He trod water, wondering just how far Juster would go to save him.

The silver fish swam up and slipped in between his fingers. His hand closed around hard, inflexible metal. The kris. He stayed where he was, wondering what it intended, not sure how best he could use it.

The pinnace glided up, and someone seized him by the hair. Tolbun, the mate. Pox on it, I'm going to wear my hair short in future.

Tolbun said, snidely triumphant, "That keel-raking is still scheduled for today. All your swimming was for naught, Factor Heron."

"That remains to be seen," he replied.

He had concealed the dagger in his hand, holding it under the water, pressed against his thigh. He could easily have reached up and stabbed the man, but he felt no inclination to do so. Instead, he raised his free hand and shoved the heel of his palm hard against Tolbun's nose. The man jerked back and let go of his hair.

Saker dived under the boat and jabbed the dagger point into the hull. No blade should have been able to penetrate a well-made boat, and he had no idea why he'd attempted it, but the kris always did have a mind of its own. It slid in as if the wood was riddled with ships' worm. Saker twisted it to make the hole larger, withdrew the blade and then swam on under the boat and out on the other side as far as he could go. When he popped up, he was close enough to the Ardronese sloop to recognise Lord Juster sitting forward of the mast. He waved a hand, then turned back towards the Lowmians. "Watch out, Tolbun," he called out, "I think your boat is going to sink any time now."

"You should have seen those Lowmian hornswagglers then, Mistress Redwing," Lord Juster said. "Sad sight, really. The officers sitting in the pinnace, one moment all so proper with their starched collars and hats; the next minute realising more than the soles of their buckled shoes were getting wet. The boat steadily filled to the gunwales until they were up to their thighs in water, as panicked as cats in the rain and fearfully reluctant to abandon ship..." He shook his head sadly at Sorrel, while giving her a sidelong look that was pure mischief. "I fear my men jeered them in the most ungenerous way."

She smiled, but she was having trouble feeling at ease. She and Juster Dornbeck were sitting at the table in the officers' wardroom with Ardhi, Saker, the weather-beaten first mate who had the Shenat name Finch Aspen, and the attractive third mate, Grig Cranald. It was strange not to have Piper in her arms, or at least nearby, and she kept turning around to look for her even though she knew the child was safe on the deck below. Lord Juster's men had found a woman ashore who, with a six-month-old baby of her own, was happy to feed another for coin.

"Of course, the Lowmian longboat rowed up to their rescue," Juster continued, "so none of them had time to care about us or Saker any more. We hauled a very sorry-looking witan up out of the water and scurried back here as fast as the wind would take us."

Sorrel pushed her concern for Piper away and said quietly, "You're a fool if you think Captain Lustgrader will take any of this calmly. His temper festers, and he will want his revenge. Especially if he ever finds out I'm on board your ship as well."

"Which he will soon know," Finch Aspen said, rubbing a hand through grizzled hair. "It'll be all over the port that a ship of privateers was looking for a wet nurse."

"True," Juster remarked thoughtfully. The look he gave her was far from dismissive. "You appear to have observed Lustgrader closely."

"A woman using a glamour is overlooked and hears much that was not meant for her ears."

He smiled faintly. "I shall take that as a warning. But Lustgrader won't be wanting to upset the Karradar Council. A council who, in spite of their respectable-sounding name, are the biggest gathering of Pashali rogues, Lowmian outcasts and Ardronese pirates in either hemisphere, united only by their unlimited capacity to commit fraud and semi-legal thievery. Not the kind of fellows any ship's captain wants to cross."

Sorrel dabbed at the sweat on her forehead. The room was hot, in spite of having all the windows propped open to let in the sea breeze. Ardhi, now clad in dry garments belonging to a common seaman, was the only person who looked at home in the heat. He'd tied his long hair back with a band of plaited leather and his eyes brightened when his gaze met hers. He had the loveliest smile, she decided, and wondered how he stayed cheerful in a world so foreign to him.

She glanced at Saker. He was wearing a soft linen shirt borrowed from Juster, together with a fancy waistcoat that was too large for his smaller frame and more appropriate for both a royal court and a colder climate. He was uncomfortable, glancing at her, then looking away as if he really didn't want to meet her eye. Several times she saw him eyeing her neckline. Or perhaps it was the kerchief that caught his attention.

I wonder if he remembers that he once gave it to me? Probably not.

"Right now," Juster was saying, "I think we should be frank with one another. There are far too many holes in the stories I've been hearing." He turned to Finch, saying, "Would you and Mister Cranald leave us now, Mister Finch? I'd rather you were both up on deck, keeping an eye on our Lowmian friends."

The old man wryly inclined his head and both men rose to their feet.

"My thanks for your help," Sorrel said.

"Ours too," Saker added.

Once the two men had left, Lord Juster gave Ardhi a shrewd look. "And you... seaman? Is it appropriate that a lowly ill-educated youth such as yourself should be present at a captain's table when secrets are discussed?"

The gleam in Juster's eye told her he already knew Ardhi was not a simple seaman, and the way Ardhi's eyes crinkled at the corners said that he knew he was being teased, not insulted. He said something in Pashali, a language Sorrel did not speak. Juster smiled and, when Ardhi had finished, Saker laughed.

Sorrel wanted to ask what he'd said, but knew this was not the time.

"Your educational pedigree aside, Ardhi," Juster said, "there are some questions to which I would like to have the answers, if you would all be gracious enough to indulge me. No one has given me an exp lanation that makes any sense at all of why Mistress Celandine-Sorrel Marten-Redwing was on Spice Winds in the first place, withwhat's morea baby that is apparently not her own, and why Captain Lustgrader wanted to kill you all. Suppose you start from the beginning and give me the entire story?"

This request was met by a studied silence. Juster looked from one to the other; no one said a word. "Saker," he said, pulling a face, "You disappoint me."

"I consider you a friend, but not all secrets are mine to share. My lord, will you take us to Kotabanta in the Summer Seas?"

Sorrel was startled. It was surely a strange question to which Saker must already know the answer. Why would Lord Juster even consider doing such a thing?

"Of course not!" Juster said, echoing her thought. "My job is here, separating cargoes from their Lowmian owners to the best of my buccaneering ability."

"Best of your privateering skills," Saker corrected.

From the way Juster chuckled, she guessed it was a shared joke. "Exactly so." He turned to Ardhi to explain. "I have letters of marque from King Edwayn of Ardrone which permit such, er, piracy. Our aim is to make sure Lowmeer doesn't corner the market on spices. Saker already knows this, so I have no idea why he thinks I would go to Kotabanta."

"I don't. Not really. And because you won't, I don't think it wise to tell you the whole tale. Some things are better not known."

"What utter bilge rot! Knowledge empowers. Information is wealth and safety." Suddenly Juster sounded seriously annoyed.

"Perhaps," Sorrel agreed, "but he's right. There are secrets which are not ours to tell. All I can say about myself is that it is of utmost urgency that I reach Vavala as soon as possible. With Piper."

Juster considered that in silence, then turned to Saker. "And you, my friend?"

"Ardhi and I must go on to the Summer Seas."

"Take a Pashali vessel from here to Javenka and arrange an ongoing leg from there. Do you have sufficient money?"

"Hardly. I left everything on board Spice Winds. I doubt Lustgrader will restore anything to me."

"So you want money as well. Sometime you must tell me what happened to my rubies."

Juster wasn't looking at Sorrel, which was just as well. Her face burned red with embarrassment. Saker had sold the rubies to supply her with the coin she needed.

"You know whom I serve," Saker said. "You know you'll be paid back."

Juster glanced pointedly at Ardhi. "Do you know who gives this witan his orders?"

"First time we meet, I tear his shirt," Ardhi said. "I saw his medallion. Mystery for me then, but I find out he's a witan. He works for his god." He frowned. "Maybe that not all true. Now I think he works more for Lady Pontifect, not so much for this god."

Sorrel, not for the first time, was impressed by Ardhi's acuity. He understands you better than you understand yourself, Saker. "Lord Juster," she said, "the secret I hold, of who Piper's parents are and what her parentage means, I hold for the Pontifect. You have my assurance that it is in Ardrone's interest that I reach her. I still have some money that Saker gave me. I don't know whether it will be enough."

"When I left Ardrone," Juster said slowly, "Lady Mathilda was about to marry. You were her handmaiden. Now you turn up with a baby of an age to match a babyif there was such a oneborn some nine months or thereabouts after a royal wedding. My mind is-"

"-jumping to unjustified conclusions!" Saker interrupted. "You will be glad to know that the Regala Mathilda gave birth, as is customary, in the presence of numerous court officials, to a son and heir. Piper is a girl."

"Ah. I'm relieved on that score, then. Consider it done, Mistress Sorrel. If you need money, I will supply it. Finding a safe berth for you might be much more problematical as ships from here to the Va-cherished Hemisphere are not suitable for a wayfaring lady travelling alone. The traders who ply the route are rough and ready. It might be easier and safer to go via the Pashalin Empire."

She sent an unhappy look to Saker.

"You could go with Saker as far as Javenka," Juster pointed out. "Javenka is closer to us now than Throssel. It's not so bad, Mistress Sorrel. Pashali ships happily take passengers and look after them well. They ply back and forth regularly because Pashalin buys and sells goods here for the Va-cherished Hemisphere."

She stared at him, trying to take in all he was saying, a sick feeling rising up through her stomach.

"Once you're in Javenka," he went on, "Pashali coastal vessels would take you to the start of the mastodon caravan route on the Bay of Kzyl and hence to the Principalities over the ice cap. Very safe, and you'd find it interesting."

She was appalled. "Interesting? I am not interested in it being interesting! I have a child to consider. Besides, it would take months!"

"It would take you four months to get from here to Vavala anyway. Possibly six. Plus you could be waiting weeks, or even months right here in Karradar, for a suitable berth on a Lowmian or Ardronese ship with an honest captain prepared to take you as far as Ustgrind or Throssel and not treat you as the ship's whore servicing the sailors. Forgive me for my bluntness, but it needed to be said."

She shot Saker a look of angry frustration. "This is all your fault!" Standing abruptly, she dropped Lord Juster a curtsy. "Forgive my rudeness, captain. You are generous indeed, and I am truly grateful. I never had any wish to be a burden to anyone. Now I must leave you to attend to Piper."

She left the room blinded by tears, unable to decide whether she was crying with despair or sheer uncontrollable rage. Va-damn you, Saker Rampion! If you'd kept your pizzle where it belongs, perhaps none of this would ever have happened.

Saker slumped back in his chair, feeling as if he'd been kicked in the gut.

Juster sent him a sidelong look. "Why," he asked, "just an hour or two after being saved from a nasty form of torture, culminating in death by hanging, do you look about as happy as a mealworm on a fishhook?"

"Maybe because that's how I feel: as low as a mealworm. She's right: I'm the one who involved her in this mess in the first place. If it hadn't been for me, she'd be safe in Vavala by now, and as ridiculous as it may sound, the Va-cherished Hemisphere would be safer as well."

"Not all true," Ardhi remarked. "Much my fault too. And Va-cherished Hemisphere is not safe."

"She didn't deserve any of the things that have happened to her," he replied. "She has saved my life. And it has cost her dearly." Sweet Va, what had he ever brought to her in return, save misery?

He thought back at all she had done to keep him alive, from the first time in an Ardronese courtroom, then risking herself on the Chervil moors and later in Ustgrind Castle in the Regala's solar, not to mention bringing Juster to his aid just then.

"Come to think of it, she's actually saved my neck four times. And yes, you are to blame too, Ardhi. I don't know how either of us can compensate her. Fiddle-me-witless, Juster, how can we send her off on a journey halfway around the known world, with a baby and no protector?"

Juster snorted. "Sounds as if she doesn't need one. Not if she can repeatedly rescue a swordsman agent of the Pontifect! Sounds to me as if you are the one who needs help. She has a glamour for a start. You did know that, I suppose?"

"Of course I did," he snapped. He took a deep breath and added more calmly, "Would you consider giving up this particular privateering jaunt and taking her to Vavala instead, if I could give you a good enough reason?"

"There's no possible reason that could be great enough. If we lose this spice war, Ardrone will be a subject nation of Lowmeer economically, and we'll all be doffing our hats to the Regal. I must reduce the Lowmian profits long enough for Prince Ryce to get our new fleet in the water! Then with copper cladding on our ships to prevent ship's worm, and our knowledge of how to prevent scurvy, we will rule the oceans and the trade and the wealth, not Lowmeer."

"You are one ship and one man. How much can you achieve? Let's say you do catch Lustgrader's fleet on the way home. Five ships, one a fully-armed galleon. Are you going to sink them all?"

"Well, it used to be I'd steal what I could and run for home. Not any more. And I am not one man. I have the best crew afloat."

"So?"

"First, odds are that the Lowmian galleon and the carrack will not make it back from the Summer Seas. They are old, and ship's worm will make honeycombs of their hulls. If they do arrive here on the homeward journey, they'll have so much marine growth on their bottoms, they'll be as slow as grain barges going upstream. First decent storm, and they're gone.

"Secondly, the Lowmians are so determined not to learn anything from the Va-forsaken Hemisphere, they'll lose at least half their crew to scurvy and fevers. No one on any ship of mine ever sickens with scurvy, and few die of the Fitful Fever, because I know how to prevent them." He nodded to Ardhi. "Thanks to lascars, who told us about Karradar limes for scurvy, and about an infusion of the bark of a certain tree for the fever."

Ardhi nodded to Saker in agreement.

"So," Juster continued, "when they call in to revictual here, on their way home, your Lowmian fleet will haveat bestthree ships and whatever's left of a sickly crew. It will be like stealing from a child. What I do then is put all their crew on one ship of theirs and let them escape to Lowmeer. I'll even let them have the cargo that's on board. I happen to believe it'd be counter-productive to impoverish Lowmeer, a philosophy your employer promotes, I believe."

Saker nodded. He'd heard Fritillary say as much.

"We're waiting for Kesleer's earlier fleet at the moment. If I have too much cargo for the ships I've seized, I pay the Pashali merchants here to deliver the captured cargo to their caravan terminus in Kzyl Bay, and it finally arrives in the Va-cherished Hemisphere on the backs of mastodons. Once we have a fine merchant fleet, we will bypass Pashalin, of course. But that's all in the future."

Saker shook his head, bemused. "That's the... the most curdled crazy thing I think I've ever heard. The same spice cargo goes from the Summer Seas to here in Karradar, bypassing Pashalin, then sets sail for Lowmeer, only to fall prey to you, or so you hope. It then comes back here where you now own it and send it all the way to Pashalin! From there it has to cross a number of Va-cherished lands until finally some of it ends up in Ardrone."

"And the profits end up in Ardronese pockets, don't forget that," Juster said.

"Not to mention Pashalin's," Saker added.

Ardhi said quietly, "Me, I wonder what price is paid in islands like mine."

Saker was stilled. That sounded very much like a pointed play on words, and he had an uncomfortable feeling it wasn't accidental. Pickles 'n' hay, life is complicated sometimes.

"We Chenderawasi folk till the soil and grow the spice trees and pick and dry the spices," Ardhi said.

He thought of the words Ardhi had spoken to Juster in Pashali, and said, "Ardhi, I'd like you to trust me. I want to talk to Lord Juster alone. Do you mind?"

The lascar rose to his feet. The smile he gave was knowing. "I hope your betrayal of secret has good result, no?"

"I would have thought you were confident," Saker snapped. "Confident that your blistering sorcery would win the day."

Ardhi shook his head soberly, the smile vanished. "Sri Kris, he tries, but in him, there is little bit of the Raja's regalia, so witchery is also little bit. One plume, though, has much witchery, so much more power. We lost all four plumes. I not sure what happen now. We have only the power in Sri Kris."

He turned and let himself out of the wardroom.

"Translate what he said to me in Pashali earlier, about himself," Juster said. "I'm not sure I understood it all."

"Something like this: 'Not a mere seaman, my lord, but a graduate from the world's most prestigious university. Youthful, perhaps, but a man already old with the weight of the history he carries on his shoulders. Not so lowly either, as counted by men who think birth is important, for I am the grandson of a ruler. A fool, though, who pays yet for his foolishness. You may call me a fool, then, and speak the truth; they call me si goblok where I come from. That means: the idiot.' "

"Ah." His expression was wry. I had the gist correct. Si goblok. Delightful expression. And I suppose you know what happened to make him call himself a fool."

"Yes, he did tell me."

Juster eyed him moodily. "I'm guessing this is all about who Piper is."

"Juster, there isn't one secret. There are several. Ardhi's secret is all about feathers. Plumes of the paradise birds found in the Chenderawasi Archipelago, which is the only place where nutmeg trees grow. On board Spice Winds there are three such plumes that belong to Ardhi. He abandoned them to save my life today, and they meant everything to him. Possibly his life. The debt I just racked up to him is, well, huge." He ran a worried hand over his hair. "On Sentinel, that's the Lowmian galleon, there's another plume that used to belong to Ardhi."

"So? They are valuable... why? To adorn ladies' hair-dos? Gentlemen's hats?"

"All four are sorcerous artefacts. Or witchery ones, perhaps."

"Superstitious nonsense?"