"You've tried to hide it," the captain said, "and you're in no way the stuck-up type, but it's been clear that you have the manners of someone comfortable in high circles. You came aboard with that pistol, not the kind of trinket most can afford, and had training in its use. You can fight better than most twice your age. One time you forgot yourself and gave me the quality of salute I've only seen from the sort of soldiers who form honor guards. And today the first mate tells me you knew what the flags on that Imperial ship meant and could have identified which prince was aboard if you'd seen the banner clearer. That's not a common talent. What do we have, then? A runaway Imperial princess?"

Kira, standing there in her worn sailor clothing and knowing how badly she needed a bath, couldn't stop a brief laugh at the idea. "I'm no princess."

"But a lady, perhaps?" the captain said. "Or a hostage, raised at the Imperial court to keep that pirate mother of yours from preying on Imperial shipping again after the war? No, we don't need details. With your work you have earned the right to your secrets. Just affirm that you have committed no crime for which the Imperials would have legitimate right to pursue you."

"I swear I have not," Kira said.

The first mate and the captain exchanged glances. The captain tapped the top of the barrel of rum again. "Nigh on twenty years ago, when I was a young officer on this ship serving under another captain, The Son of Taris was swept up in the Imperial net and forced to help carry provisions for the attack on Dorcastle. I have never forgotten one single incident of the times when the Imperials disrespected our captain, myself, and the others aboard. Their arrogance earned no love from us. This ship left the harbor of Dorcastle a day before the Imperials collapsed in the face of the daughter's wrath. We returned to the Empire with a deck covered with the wounded and our holds full of the bodies of the dead being brought back to their families."

The captain looked at Kira. "I'll never forget that, either. The empty faces of the dead and the stench and the terrible waste of it all. You say that you and the boy seek to save lives from those who would take them in war. You say the Imperials have no just cause to seek you. That's enough for me. Keep your head down, continue to work hard, and I will take you both on to Kelsi as agreed. For tonight, stay below deck and sleep in the forward hold with the door blocked, in case someone sneaks aboard in search of you during the night. The first mate will call you up in the morning when we're clear of the harbor."