Inside the sturdy room, usually kept locked, a lantern hung from a hook overhead. The captain sat on a chest, before him a keg of rum resting on one flat end. On top of the keg was a sheet of paper with a color picture of Jason's face, like one of those that they had seen in Dorcastle.

The first mate closed the door, going to stand by the captain as both regarded Kira with stern expressions. The captain indicated the picture. "Tell us, then."

She didn't try to lie. "Yes. Jason, that's his real name, is from the ship from Urth."

"Why is he here, hiding?"

"To save lives. The people on the ship from Urth are here to cheat us and to take from us. Jason warned us. And when he found out that the other Urth people were planning to do something that would result in terrible wars with many, many people dying, he took part of their ship that would prevent them from doing that."

The first mate nodded to the captain. "That three-sided thing. I didn't think it looked like anything I'd ever seen before."

The captain eyed Kira. "Why hasn't he tossed it overboard?"

"Because it has a little thing like a Mechanic far-talker inside. If Jason isn't near it, it will call the Urth ship on its own."

"You believe that?"

"Yes."

"So it's to save lives he's doing this?"

"Yes. A lot of lives."

"That's where his stories come from?" the first mate asked. "From that Urth place?"

"Yes," Kira said. "He never claimed he made them up himself."

"True enough, though he told them well."

A few moments of silence passed while the captain thought. "And what is your role in this, girl? When we first saw you two we thought it was the old story of young love, but it's been clear enough the two of you are but friends."

Kira nodded. "Jason needed someone to help him hide. Urth is very different from our world. I was the only one who could help him."

"And who are you?" The captain looked Kira up and down again. "The Imperials pretended to mention you in passing. Oh, yes, and there's also a girl. We'd like her, too. But I've been in trade long enough to know when someone wants something very much, and the Imperials want you something fierce. Quite a reward was offered for you. Why?"

How could she answer that without telling them everything? Without confessing to being Lady Mari's daughter, and the desire of the Imperials to force her into a marriage if they could get their hands on her? "You wouldn't believe me if I told you, sir."

"Try, and let's see."

"It concerns the Imperial household," Kira said, trying to avoid the entire truth. "They want to take me there."

She had expected looks of derision, but instead both the first mate and the captain nodded as if she had confirmed their suspicions.