‘An acquaintance, Sawark. Not one of my trusted ones. I asked because he’s on my reach crew. One less strong man will slow us if you’re still holding him tomorrow.’

‘Live with it, Beneth.’

Neither one believes the other. The thought was like a glimmer of long-lost awareness in Felisin. She drew a deep breath. Something’s happening. I need to think about it. I need to be listening. Listening, right now.

In answer to Sawark’s suggestion, Beneth sighed heavily. ‘I shall have to do just that, then. Until later, Captain.’

Felisin did not resist as Beneth propelled her towards the stairs. Once outside he pulled her across the Round, not answering the Keep guard as the man said something in a sneering tone. Breathing hard, Beneth dragged her into the shadows of an alley, then swung her around.

His voice was a harsh rasp. ‘Who are you, girl, his long-lost daughter? Hood’s breath! Clear your wits! Tell me what happened just now in that office! Baudin? What’s Baudin to you? Answer me!’

‘He’s – he’s nothing—’

The back of his hand when it struck her face was like a sack of rocks. Light exploded behind Felisin’s eyes as she sprawled sideways. Blood streamed from her nose as she lay unmoving in the alley’s rotting refuse. Staring dumbly at the ground six inches away, she watched the red pool spread in the dust.

Beneth dragged her upright and threw her up against a wood-slatted wall. ‘Your full name, lass. Tell me!’

‘Felisin,’ she mumbled. ‘Just that—’

Snarling, he raised his hand again.

She stared at the marks her teeth had left just above the knuckles. ‘No! I swear it! I was a foundling—’

Disbelief crazed his eyes. ‘A what?’

‘Found outside the Fener Monastery on Malaz Island – the Empress made accusations – followers of Fener. Heboric—’

‘Your ship came from Unta, lass. What do you take me for? You’re noble-born—’

‘No! Only well cared for. Please, Beneth, I’m not lying. I don’t understand Sawark. Maybe Baudin spun a tale, a lie to save his own skin—’

‘Your ship sailed from Unta. You’ve never even been to Malaz Island. This monastery, near which city?’

‘Jakata. There’s only two cities on the island. The other’s Malaz City, I was sent there for a summer. Schooling. I was in training to be a priestess. Ask Heboric, Beneth. Please.’

‘Name me the poorest quarter of Malaz City.’

‘Poorest?’

‘Name it!’

‘I don’t know! The Fener Temple is in Dockfront! Is it the poorest? There were slums outside the city, lining the Jakata Road. I was there for but a season, Beneth! And I hardly saw Jakata – we weren’t allowed! Please, Beneth, I don’t understand any of this! Why are you hurting me? I’ve done everything you wanted me to do – I slept with your friends, I let you trade me, I made myself valuable—’