The tallest of the three, the ebony-skinned one with the curly hair, gave him a warning glance with her dark eyes. The pilot was smart enough to read it and pretended to make himself busy with a cargo web that was hanging loose. Better to let them

complete their business without interfering. When she turned away again, the pilot stole another look at the trio. They had kept to themselves all the way down, talking in hushed voices at the back of the compartment while he had navigated the flight corridors to Noroc's port complex. Now and then, the winsome-looking one with the brown hair would sob a little, and the other one, tawny of face and elegant - by his lights, the prettiest of the three - would comfort her with whispers.

He would never have even dared to stay in the same room with them had they been Battle Sisters, but the Adepta Sororitas had many faces to it, and these three were just nurses. Sister Hospitallers, they called themselves. The pilot amused himself thinking of how he might like them to comfort him in bed one night.

As if she smelled the notion in his brain, the tall woman broke away and came over to him. 'Could you give us a few moments, please? In private.'

'Uh, well.’ He stalled. The thing is, you said this would be quick. I've got a perishable load waiting on the dock up at the commerce station, bound for the epicurias in Metis City.' The pilot gave a vague wave in the direction of the ocean. 'I can't spare the time.' 'No.’ said the woman firmly, 'you can. And you will. I am a servant of the Divine Imperial Church. Do you know what that means?' That... I have to... do what you say?' Tm glad we understand each other.’ She turned her back on him and returned to her Sisters, who were walking out on to the starport apron.

* * *

'Are you sure you don't want Sister Zoe or me to go with you? You do not have to bear this sorrow alone, Verity.’

The girl swallowed hard, watching the first rays of sunlight cresting the mountains in the distance. She could smell the salt of the sea in the cool air. 'Inara, no. You have already done enough.’ Verity forced a weak smile. This is something that I must attend to myself. It is a matter of family.’

'We are all family.’ Zoe said gently. All Sisters by duty if not by blood.’

Verily shook her head. 'I thank you both for accompanying me, but our order's work on the outer moons is more important. The Palatine might bear to lose me for a time, but not you two as well.’ She took up her bag from Zoe and gave them both a curt bow. Ave Imperator, Sisters.’ With finality, the Hospitaller withdrew a black mourning shawl from her pocket and tied it about her neck.