Thomis Love blanched. “A traitor? Her? But she showed me the mark.…”

“Excuse me.” Tau-indi put up one hand, to draw attention, and with their other they made a motion as if to shield Baru. “This woman is my guest. And I am inclined to take violation of that guest right as an act of war by the navy.”

The griots stopped singing.

Baru risked one step closer. Her heart beat loud. She and Ormsment looked eye to eye. Juris’s brown skin had darkened toward black beneath the spring sun. Under the red naval mask her even eyes measured Baru carefully. She was very intimidating, in the manner of women who seem unassuming until you consider the decisions they might make to hurt you. Baru swallowed and spoke. “Come home, Juris. You can survive this yet. If it’s contained.”

“You didn’t let Mannerslate’s crew survive. Or Cordsbreath. Or Inundore. Or any of the others.”

“They were necessary sacrifices.”

“So am I. Necessary to stop you.”

“Juris, please, I can offer you asylum.” Tau opened their arms. “We had a lovely time in Treatymont, didn’t we? You bought me that incredible jar of olive oil. Let me show you my home. There are seas in the south unknown to Falcrest, and we need good sailors to explore them.”

“Even you, Tau-indi?” Ormsment’s mask tilted sadly. She sagged as if struck in an organ she did not know she still possessed. “Oh, you’ll live to regret you ever knew her, Prince.”

“I never regret trying to know someone, Juris.”

Ormsment took a breath from the whiskey bottle. Baru shivered in dismay at her slow contented smile. Juris Ormsment was savoring her last moments.

“There’s a riddle,” she said, “about power.”

“Is it the one about the ministers and the antidote?” Shao Lune called. “You always tell that one, mam.”

She slipped out from behind Baru, one arm snaking around Baru’s waist, pulling them together hip to hip. Ormsment’s fists spasmed in fury. Baru watched something smash against the back of her eyes, like a wave slapping a dam, and wished she could turn this woman, turn her or possess her rather than face her anger.

“Staff Captain. And here I was hoping you hadn’t been killed as you bravely resisted interrogation. I overestimated you, I think.”

“We reached an accomodation,” Shao said, haughtily. “Governor Love, my name is Shao Lune. I am a loyal officer of the Imperial Navy.”

Thomis Love held up his hands. “I don’t understand.”

“Juris Ormsment is a mutineer. I helped her plan her revolt, and then, when the moment was right, I joined the Emperor’s agents in bringing Ormsment to justice.” Her voice rose. “This pretender admiral is a fugitive charged with the highest of crimes. And if you grant her so much as a pipe to piss in then my navy will burn your little rock till it cracks into the sea. Understand?”