Isabelle drummed her spark-hand on the table’s metal rim, sending up pink and purple embers. “A military career should never be a matter of last resort, especially for one so young. If you’d rather, I can arrange for you to be apprenticed either to a doctor or a woman of business. Both of them are highly qualified and could use the help.”

“Capitaine,” Vrain said, “we have important business to attend.”

Isabelle gave him a disapproving look. “Signing up for the navy is a ten-year commitment. Demoiselle Rebecca is about to make a choice that will determine the course of the rest of her life. I can hardly think of a matter more worthy of due consideration.”

Vrain’s expression puckered, but he offered no further commentary.

Surprise flickered across Rebecca’s face and her gaze at Isabelle approached wonder. Isabelle guessed she was not used to having adults defend her against other adults, or having her opinions deemed important.

Rebecca asked, “Why did you choose this?” She waved a hand to indicate the ship.

The unscarred corner of Isabelle’s mouth curled up ruefully. The question was incisive, and unfortunately difficult to untangle. How might she explain the peculiar mélange of secrets, oaths, and ambition that had brought her to this point? She wasn’t sure she could explain it to herself. “That’s a question that could take days to answer properly. The short version is, the world has no place for me, so I made my own.”

Rebecca gave this somber consideration, or at least made a believably solemn face. “I … Yes. I would like to be your cabin girl. If that’s okay with you.”

Isabelle nodded and said, “Very well, I accept your service, but we are short on time so we need to get you sworn in.” There followed a brief flurry of activity as the relevant oath was discovered in the regulations. Isabelle walked Rebecca through it, though she wasn’t sure which one of them was more nervous. She’d never administered an oath before, and this one was to a child who could not possibly comprehend the full depth of her commitment.

For the moment, at least, Rebecca looked stunned, as if she’d opened a long-locked trunk and found a different world within.

When the oathtaking was done, Isabelle presented her with her blue jacket and symbols of rank.

Vrain said, “Can we get back to serious work now?”

“I took that very seriously,” Isabelle said.

That one must go, her chorus said. Disrespectful and insubordinate. Make it look like an accident. Use the tragedy to cultivate the loyalty of your men.

I am not murdering anyone, Isabelle said. It was like arguing with the wind.

Isabelle sent Marie to give Rebecca a tour of the ship and an overview of her duties, and returned to her meeting.