"Don’t expect me to fall in love with this damned place, alright? But… but for most of the people on the Terpsichoria, for the Remade, this press-ganging is the best thing that could have happened. And as for the rest of us… well, it’s fair that we should live with that. You helped me see that, Johannes. And I wanted to say thank you."

Bellis’ face was impassive, the words tasting like curdled milk in her mouth (even though she realized they were not entirely lies).

There had been a time when Bellis had considered telling Johannes the truth about the threat to New Crobuzon. But she was still stunned by the speed with which he had allied himself to Armada and Garwater. It was clear that he had very little love for the city of his birth. But still, she thought, he would not (surely) be neutral in the case of The Gengris. He must have friends, family in New Crobuzon. He could not be indifferent to that threat. Surely?

But what if he did not believe her? If he did not, if he thought this was a convoluted attempt to escape, if he brought her and her claims to the attention of the Lovers, who would not give two shits about the fate of New Crobuzon, then she would have frittered away her only chance to get a message back to the city.

Why should the rulers of Armada care what one far-off nation did to another? Perhaps they would even welcome the grindylow plans. New Crobuzon’s was a strong navy. Bellis had no idea how deep Johannes’ new allegiance extended. She could not risk telling him the truth.

She waited carefully on the Shadeskinner ’s deck, sensing Johannes’ guarded pleasure.

"Do you think you can do it?" she said eventually.

He frowned. "Do what?"

"Do you think you can raise the avanc?"

He was stunned. She watched the thoughts race across him. Incredulity and anger and fear. She saw him consider lying for a tiny moment, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but that temptation ebbed, taking all the other emotions with it.

He was composed again in seconds.

"I suppose I shouldn’t really be surprised," he said quietly. "It’s absurd to think you can keep something like that secret." He drummed his fingers on the rail. "To be honest, it’s a constant amazement to me how few people seem to know. It’s as if those who don’t are conspiring with those who do. How did you know? No amount of care or thaumaturgy can keep plans this big secret, I suppose. They’ll have to come clean soon: too many people know already."

"Why are you doing it?" Bellis said.