Sireen said, “I understand the inconvenience this imposes, and I know how much you hate bloodhollows, but I don’t intend to interfere with your command.”

“Then why?” Isabelle asked.

“Because I want to see the Craton Auroborea for myself. I want to set foot on it and bear witness as you plant the flag on it. I want to see the wreck of the Conquest.”

“You want to share the adventure,” Isabelle said.

“Yes,” Sireen said. “Power only brings freedom to the extent that one sheds responsibility. My duties are here within l’Empire, and their chains are adamant. This gives me a way to escape, at least vicariously, for a little while.”

Isabelle knew all too well how being denied a thing could increase one’s desire for it, but that did not excuse the trouble she meant to inflict on Isabelle. “You could wait to send a bloodhollow along with the first colony ships. Assign one to the colonial governor.”

Sireen cocked her head slightly to one side. “I want to see it first.”

Isabelle gritted her teeth. “You are a passenger then.”

“Cargo, if it will ease your mind. I don’t expect to manifest in this body again until we make land. If anyone on your crew attempts to summon me without your permission, I will consider that an act of treason.”

That was but a small concession. La reine was not to be denied, no matter how inconvenient her whim proved to be. “Would Madame be so kind as to make that royal proclamation to the crew herself?”

Sireen’s translucent chin lifted as if she might consider that request impertinent, but after a moment, she conceded, “Yes, I can see why that might be necessary.”

The last bell before noon had rung by the time Sagax Quill stepped from his tunnel chambers into the cold gray light of morning. A porter followed him, carrying his sky chest. Bitterlich followed him in raven form as he made his unsteady way toward the naval yard.

Bitterlich considered presenting himself as an escort for Quill sent from the Thunderclap to give him a chance to chat the man up on the walk, maybe find out some more about Don Pyros or the Hand of Saint Cynessus. The thing that stuck most in his mind was the fact that Quill had been expecting to receive the reliquary yesterday. That meant that unless he was planning on looking at it and giving it right back, he’d meant to bring it with him on the expedition. Why?

Yet Bitterlich held back. In his years working as one of Impervia’s agents it had generally been his directive not to reveal himself to those whom he’d been sent to tail. He was to observe, gather intelligence, and report. Then he and Impervia would decide what next steps to follow. He had adopted the same habit with Isabelle so their actions might be coordinated rather than slipshod.