“I don’t like him,” said Jerad stoutly. “He pinches when he thinks the adults aren’t looking.”

“Well,” observed Mai as she sliced up the buns with a knife, “I think he saw some very bad things, so naturally he is frightened all the time. Just like you did, Jerad, only it seems you are able to treat others kindly instead of taking out your fear on them. That shows a good heart and a good nature.” She offered him the platter.

Eyes wide, he took it gravely. “Yes, Auntie.” Shoulders straight, he marched off to distribute the sweets.

“Thank you,” mumbled Avisha, thoroughly ashamed.

“Hu! I grew up in a clan surrounded by siblings and cousins. You think that wasn’t anything I didn’t hear ten times a day?” She slurped her tea, set down the delicate cup—more fine than anything Avisha had ever handled in her life but everyday ware here—and called out. “Chief! Another round of interviews now.”

“I’ll separate out fourteen, Mistress. No more.”

“You’ll need a rest afterward, Mistress,” added Priya.

“I am overwhelmed by superior numbers.” Mai smiled.

In the weeks she had lived in the household of the captain and his wife, Avisha had learned that Mai’s smile hid more than it revealed.

Mai continued in a murmur meant only for Avisha’s ears. “Don’t they see that the interviews are the worst part? I’d rather have them all done than drawn out over weeks.”

“More will keep coming,” said Avisha. “Until all the Qin are married. As women hear, or decide to try their luck, or see how bolder women have fared.”

Mai sighed.

Priya leaned over, resting a dark hand on Mai’s belly. “Are you weary, Mistress?”

“Yes, but not tired!”

“Here they come,” said Avisha.

The Qin soldiers were never really off-duty, although as far as Avisha could tell they had a fair bit of leeway in going about their tasks. Rather more than a dozen men filtered into the courtyard, in addition to the guards who were on duty, as a group of hopeful women were herded into the far end of the garden and then cut out in family groups when it was their turn to come forward.

A pair of cousins dressed in gaudy town fashion wanted to know how much coin they would be paid to marry the outlanders. They were dismissed.

A poor widow who would soon be too old to bear children was given a string of vey and sent away.

A nervous girl came forward with her even more nervous uncle, and had little enough to say for herself, but when Avisha questioned her she relaxed enough to admit she could tailor.

“Come back tomorrow with samples of your work,” said Mai. “If you are willing to set up housekeeping in the settlement we are building in the Barrens on the western shore of the Olo’o Sea, your skills will be useful. Think about it.”

Several of the Qin soldiers marked the girl with interested gazes as she and her uncle left.