Aminata couldn’t bear to wait on deck for an answer from Sulane. She paced Captain Nullsin’s cabin, wanting to go below and interview Ake Sentiamut again, trying not to chew at little dry flaps of skin around her nails. When Nullsin came below she had to swallow the hole in her chest just to get a word out. “Sir? What word from her?”

“Sulane sent warning of disease and recommended we stand off.” Nullsin grimaced at the hammer that had replaced his missing hand. There was nothing tangible he could strike or fix. “Maybe she just meant to warn us of the plague ashore. Maybe…”

Maybe Province Admiral Ormsment was trying to say, I’m contagious. Learn of what I’ve done and you’ll be tainted. Come any closer and you’ll have to choose a side. Stay away, for your own sake.

“Your orders, sir?”

“Well. I have a clear command from a superior officer to stand off.” Nullsin smiled impishly, though he tried to hide it. “But if that were not clearly communicated to one of my juniors, and she took some boats ashore to learn what’s really happening here…”

“Say no more, sir.” Aminata didn’t salute, for it wasn’t an order. Maybe there was a little wink.

But before she gave her orders she went back to her hammock and reread the letter. She had nearly left it on Cauteria, that mysterious convict’s plea, but some dutiful instinct against unread mail had made her take it on Ascentatic. After the Llosydanes and the vultjagata she’d gone back to it at last, out of desperation to know anything more about Baru. Now she kept it pinned to the planks beneath her hammock with the cormorant quill.

To the Oriati Lieutenant who I know is close to my lord, I write this by the mercy of my captor, who hast permitted me a final inscribtion on the eve of the voyage which I hope will end in my death. Instead of a will I leave to the world this letter.

My lord Baru Cormorant will very soon fight a great war. In this war the sides will be: Her mind and Her heart.

It is true that my lord has accomplished very much with her mind and that this organ often seems to rule her.

However I have learned through close inspection and some provocations and difficulties that my lord also possesses a heart which feels the full range of feelings. It is merely very well concealed and somewhat prickly like an urchin. I believe she thinks of her heart as an unfortunate growth. A sort of emotional hemorrhoid.

It is therefore my final duty to reach out to the woman whose name she most often spoke with respect and ask her to carry on my station as her companion and protector.