“I’d like you off this ship, certainly,” Tau said, frowning, “for a year’s rest in a house that gets no news. But you’re right that I want very badly to find Abdu.”

“So let’s go!”

“You and I?”

“And whoever else you please to bring.” Baru spun in place to check for Apparitor or Yawa. Her brain gyroscoped. “I’ve been placed under medical arrest, they won’t let me go ashore. But if you can get me to Kyprananoke, I think I can get us to Unuxukome Ra.”

“You think she’ll know where Abdu has gone?”

“She wrote a letter to her son that was carried by Abdumasi Abd’s ships. Maybe she can tell you what Abdumasi planned. Won’t it bring you a little closer to him, to know more of what he intended?”

“You learn well.” Tau smiled. “But you’re asking me to go against an Incrastic doctor’s medical opinion. That’s a bleeding offense on a ship.”

“You’re not a Masquerade citizen. They’d never bleed you.”

“But you’re still asking me to defy my host’s wishes. That’s terribly rude.”

“Your host—you mean Apparitor?” Baru clasped indignant hands to her breast. “What about my wishes, Your Federal Highness? What right does he have to hold me?”

“Isn’t there a terrible plague ashore?”

“Yes, but it’s mostly confined to the west side, and we needn’t go there—”

“Won’t the mutineers on Sulane come after you once you leave Helbride?”

“Certainly! But if you’re with me, I keep your diplomatic protections!”

Tau-indi’s frown broke into a broad dawning smile. “This sounds like a dismal plan.”

Baru huffed. It was her only plan. “You’re refusing me?”

“Oh, no, I’ll get myself and the enact-colonel ready to go at once.”

“You will?”

“I think it’ll be good for you,” Tau said, “and a suture has to begin with one stitch. Also, I have resources on Kyprananoke that you lack.”

“What if Apparitor tries to stop us?”

“Why,” Tau said, still grinning, “then he’s denying my diplomatic right to free movement. And if I am no longer a diplomat, why should my seals fly over Helbride?”

Baru had to laugh in appreciation at that. Then she thought of something that might chill Tau’s warmth. “I want to bring the prisoner Shao Lune.”

“The navy woman? Why?”

Because, Baru’s heart muttered, she’ll probably die if I leave her here. “She knows Ormsment’s tactics. She can help us protect ourselves if Sulane sends a party ashore.”

“Trim will guard us,” Tau said. “But if you wish, I won’t deny you. Although I won’t be responsible for her care. She is a sailor and a killer, and I cannot be bound to her.”