'Surely a grand lady like yourself doesn't lead as boring and sedate a life as all that,' Captain Leftrin had exclaimed.

'Oh, I fear that I do, sir. I'm a scholar, Captain Leftrin. Most of my days are spent at my desk, reading and translating old scrolls and trying to make sense of what they tell me. This chance to speak to real dragons was to be my one real adventure in life. After what Captain Trell and his wife told me about them, I'm afraid it will be far less rewarding than I thought it would be. But, what is so funny? Are you mocking me?'

For Captain Leftrin had broken into a hearty boom of laughter at her words. 'Oh, not at you, my dear, I assure you.

It's the idea of Althea Vestrit dismissed as "Captain Trell's wife" that is a rich jest for me. She's every bit as much a captain as Trell is, not that the Paragon needs a captain at all these days. There's a liveship that has decided to be in charge of himself!'

Sedric broke in on their conversation. 'Surely there must be some sort of lodging available here? Even a humble one would be welcome.'

'None that I'd say was fit for a lady, there isn't. No, Sedric my friend, I'm afraid you'll have to tolerate my hospitality for one more night. Now if you'll excuse me for just a bit, I want to confer with my tillerman. There's a tricky bit of river before Cassarick, where they tried to build those locks for the sea serpents the year they came up the river. Didn't help the poor creatures much at all, and they've been a hazard to navigation every since.' And so saying, he left his perch on the railing and descended to the deck. He quickly vanished from sight in the darkness.

Alise looked up at the lights of Cassarick growing closer. Sedric spoke quietly in a sour voice. 'I can't wait to be off this stinking tub.'

She was startled at the venom in his voice. 'Do you truly hate it that much?'

'There's no privacy, the food is primitive, the company one level above socializing with street dogs, and my "bunk" reeks of whoever last slept in it. I can't bathe, shaving is a challenge, and every piece of clothing I packed for this expedition now smells like their bilge. I didn't expect to be comfortable accompanying you on this journey, but I didn't think we'd descend quite this far into squalor.'

Alise was struck dumb by his vehemence. Sedric seemed to take her silence as condemnation, for he seethed on, 'Well, you cannot pretend to enjoy it here, even if you've a smelly room all to yourself. That pirate shows you no respect at all. Every time I turn around he's leering at you, or calling you "my dear" as if you were some tavern wench he was set on impressing. He spends more time perched up here beside you than he does running his ship.'

She found her tongue. 'And you think this is inappropriate? Or that my behaviour is reprehensible in this?'

'Oh, Alise, you know better than that.' The sharpness dropped from his voice. 'I know you wouldn't do anything dishonourable, let alone with some smelly river man who thinks a "clean shirt" is one that he hasn't worn in the last two days. No, I don't fault you. You're a very determined woman, and despite your disappointment about the dragons, you leaped to the practicality of trying to actually see them. I'm wretchedly uncomfortable on board this ship. At the same time, I'm relieved that you've recognized the realities we're dealing with and that our visit to the Rain Wilds will not be as extended as you originally planned.'

'Sedric, I'm so sorry! You hadn't said a word. I didn't realize you were so unhappy. Perhaps tomorrow, you can find appropriate lodgings for us, yes, and spend some time on a hot bath and a decent meal. You can even take a long rest if you wish it. I'm sure I'll be fine talking to the local council. I'd be very surprised if they didn't offer me a guide for my visit to the dragons. There is no reason that you have to go see the creatures at all. Originally, when I had thought I would have long detailed conversations, I'd hoped you'd be available to take notes of what was said and do some sketches for me. But now that I know my experience will be little more than a trip to a menagerie, I don't see the sense in tormenting you.' She resolutely kept her disappointment from her voice as she offered this. She longed to have him at her side when she met the dragons, and not just for the comfort of a familiar face.

She wanted there to be someone who would witness her there. She imagined them both back at Bingtown, at some stuffy dinner, when perhaps someone would ask her about her time among the dragons. She'd modestly say that it hadn't been much of an adventure, but then Sedric might raise his voice to contradict her pleasantly, and make a witty tale out of her time among them. She visualized herself, in her black boots and canvas trousers that she'd bought just for her encounter, striding across the flats to confront the scaled behemoths. She smiled to herself.

Before she met the dragons, she'd have to visit the local Traders' Council, to introduce herself and get their permission. And there again, she hoped to have his companionship. She had no idea whom she'd meet with when she visited the council. She'd wanted to enter on Sedric's arm, to be seen as a woman worthy of such a handsome and charming escort. But he'd already made so many sacrifices to come with her. It was time for her to set her vanity aside and think of his comfort.

Sedric sat up straighter. 'Alise, I didn't mean that at all! I enjoy your company, and I think I shall enjoy your seeing the dragons as much as you will. I apologize for being so discouraging. Let's get what sleep we can and make an early start of the day. You should come with me to find our lodgings; I'd never just abandon you in a strange town. And regardless of what Captain Leftrin says, we've no idea of how safe or dangerous a place this may be. We'll find our lodgings and, as you say, have a meal and a wash and change our clothes, and then we'll go to the council together. And then, on to the dragons!'

'Then you don't mind going with me?' She was startled by the sudden change in his attitude. She could not keep the smile from her face.

'Not at all,' he insisted. 'I'm looking forward to getting close to the dragons as much as you are.'

'No, you aren't,' Alise laughed. She looked into his face boldly, knowing that in the night she did not need to fear letting her affection for him shine in her eyes. 'But it's a very kind lie, Sedric. I know you realize how much this means to me, and you've been awfully good about enduring your exile from Bingtown. When we return, I promise I'll find some way to make it up to you.'

Sedric abruptly looked uncomfortable. 'Alise, nothing of the kind is necessary, I assure you. Let me walk you to your cabin and then say good night.'

She wanted to tell him that she could walk herself to her cabin. But doing that would mean admitting to herself that she did enjoy her quiet chats with the captain, and that she rather hoped that he would join her again that night. But Sedric had already made it clear that he had reservations about such conversations, and she would not put him in the uncomfortable position of having to stay awake to chaperone her. She rose and let him take her arm.

Sintara awoke to darkness. The blackness jolted her, for she had been dreaming of flying in sunlit blue skies over a glittering city by a wide river of blue and silver. 'Kelsingra,' she muttered to herself. She closed her eyes to the dark and tried to will herself back into her dream. She recalled the tall map tower at the centre of the city, the broad city square, the leaping fountains, and the wide, shallow steps that led into the main buildings. There had been frescoes on the walls, images of both Elderling and dragon queens. Some ancestor of hers recalled sleeping sprawled on those wide steps, baking in the heat from the sun and the stone. How pleasant it had been to doze there, barely aware of the folk who hurried past her on their business. Their voices had been as musical as the distant chuckling of the river.