He stopped eating and stared at her. "You mean this fish and the water in this stew came out of the same river we're on right now?"

"Yeah," Kira said, wondering why Jason looked alarmed.

"Was everything processed and sterilized?"

"What?"

"There are, like, animals using that water! And people!"

"Yes," Kira said. "She boiled the stew. You can tell from the fish."

Jason lowered his head, anxiously studying his bowl of stew. "If she brings us sushi, I am not eating any."

"What's sushi?"

"Raw fish. A lot of people eat it back…where I come from. It's good."

"You eat raw fish?" Kira almost gagged at the thought. "And you're worried about stew that's been boiled?"

"It's good," Jason insisted. "Sashimi and stuff."

"You gut it first, right? You gut it and scale it before you eat the fish raw?"

"Of course we do!" Jason started laughing. "I figured some stuff that you guys ate might gross me out, but I never realized some stuff I ate would gross you out too. I guess it's all what you're used to."

Knowing that they really should stand watches during the night, Kira was too weary to care. She spread her blanket on the deck.

"Kira?" Jason asked. "Where are the bathrooms?"

She pointed over the side of the barge. "The river."

"The river?" Jason groaned. "I don't think I'm going to be able to eat any more stew."

"Suit yourself." Kira must have fallen asleep almost immediately, her dreams haunted by images of worlds ravaged by terrible weapons that struck down millions at a blow.

* * *

They had reached Tiaesun about noon after another day and night of travel. Mari was standing by a window, looking out over the reborn capital city of Tiae, when a guard led a Mage into the room. "A message, Lady."

"Thank you." Mari glanced at Alain, waiting until the guard had left. The Mage waited too, her expression impassive, not engaging in even the unspoken social interactions that normally occurred among people. "What is it?"

The Mage's voice was impassive as well, not the dead tones of old, but still heavily influenced by the former Mage Guild's rejection of any form of emotion. "Elder," she addressed Mari, using the Mage term of respect, "this message came to this one from a Mage in Danalee. Master Mechanic Alli and Mechanic Calu of Danalee speak of one Gari, and say that one met the one Kira in their city. The one Kira rode a creature of the Mechanics to the west where Julesport lies. That one Jason was with her. Both looked well. Master Mechanic Alli adds that the one Kira threatened that one Gari with her Mechanic weapon, and that one Alli asks to know what the elder Mari has been teaching the one Kira."

The Mage stopped reciting her message, turned, and left to wait outside.