There was a burst of shock and outrage from the passengers, and mutters of bewilderment from the crew. He can’t do this! thought Bellis. She felt a surge of panic-but no surprise. She realized that she had been expecting this, since Cumbershum’s hint. She realized, too, that somewhere inside her there was a joy at the thought of return. She battened that feeling down hard. It won’t be a homecoming for me, she thought savagely. I have to get away. What am I going to do?

"Enough! "the captain shouted. "As I said, I do not take this decision lightly." He raised his voice over shouted protests. "Within the week we’ll be back in Iron Bay, where alternative arrangements will be made for paying passengers. You may have to sail with another ship. I’m aware that this will add a month to your voyage, and I can only offer apologies."

Grim-faced and livid, he looked totally unapologetic. "Nova Esperium will have to survive a few more weeks without you. Passengers are confined to the poop deck until three o’clock. Crew remain for new orders." He put down the speaking trumpet and descended toward the deck.

For a moment he was the only thing moving. Then the stillness broke and there was a surge as several passengers strode forward, against his orders, demanding that he change his mind. The captain’s barks of outrage could be heard as they reached him.

Bellis was staring at Silas Fennec. Piecing it together.

His face was immobile as he observed the agitation. He noticed Bellis watching him, held her eyes for a moment, then walked unhurriedly away.

Johannes Tearfly looked absolutely stricken. He gaped in an almost comical show of dismay.

"What’s he doing?" he said. "What’s he talking about? I can’t wait another fortnight in the rain of Iron Bay! Godspit! And why are we heading south? He’s taking the long route past the Fins again… What is going on?"

"He’s looking for something," said Bellis, just loud enough for him to hear. She took his elbow and gently led him away from the crowd. "And I wouldn’t waste your breath on the captain. You won’t hear him admit it, but I don’t think he has the slightest choice."

The captain strode from rail to rail on deck, snapping out a telescope and scouring the horizon. Officers shouted instructions to the men in the crow’s nests. Bellis watched the bewilderment and rumor-mongering of the passengers.

"The man’s a disgrace," she overheard, "screaming at paying passengers like that."

"I was standing outside the captain’s office, and I heard someone accuse him of wasting time-of disobeying orders," Miss Cardomium reported, bewildered. "How can that be?"

It’s Fennec, thought Bellis. He’s angry because we’re not going directly back. Myzovic is… what? Looking for evidence of the Sorghum , on the way.

The sea beyond the Fins was darker, more powerful, and cold-unbroken by rocks. The sky was wan. They were beyond Basilisk Channel. This was the edge of the Swollen Ocean. Bellis stared at the endless green waves with distaste. She felt vertiginous. She imagined three, four, five thousand miles of brine yawning away eastward, and closed her eyes. The wind butted her insistently.