〃But I am still astonished by your ill fortune； Lady；〃 Aspitis said。 〃I had heard that these Fire Dancers were a problem in the provinces； and I have seen a few heretical madmen preaching the Fire Dancer creed in Nabban's public places…but the idea that they would actually dare to lay hands on a noblewoman！〃
〃An Erkynlandish noblewoman； a very unimportant one；〃 Miriamele said hastily； worried she might have gone too far in her improvisation。 〃And I was dressed to travel to my new convent home。 They had no idea of my position。〃
〃That is immaterial。〃 Aspitis waved his hand airily； almost knocking over the candle on the tabletop with his trailing sleeve。 He had shed the finery he wore on the quarterdeck； choosing instead a long； simple robe like those worn by knights during their vigil。 But for a delicate gold Tree on a chain about his neck； his only adornment was the insignia of the Prevan House woven on each sleeve； the osprey wings wrapped his forearms like climbing flames。 Miriamele was favorably impressed that a wealthy young man like Aspitis would greet guests in such modest attire。 〃Immaterial；〃 he repeated。 〃These people are heretics and worse。 Besides； a noblewoman from Erkynland is no different than one of Nabban's own Fifty Families。 Noble blood is the same throughout Osten Ard； and like a spring of sweet water in an wilderness； must be protected at all costs。〃 He leaned forward and gently couched her arm through her sleeve。 〃Had I been there； Lady Marya； I would have given my life before letting one of them mishandle you。〃 He leaned back and patted the hilt of his scabbarded sword； studiedly casual。 〃But if I had been forced to make that ultimate sacrifice； I would have insisted that a few of them acpany me。〃
〃Oh；〃 said Miriamele。 〃Oh。〃 She took a deep breath； a little over… whelmed。 〃But really； Earl Aspitis； there is no need to worry。 We escaped quite safely…it's just that we had to flee to your boat and hide。 It was dark； you see； and Father Cadrach。。。〃
〃Brother；〃 the monk said sourly from across the table。 He took a draught of wine。
〃 。。。Brother Cadrach said that this would be the safest place。 So we hid ourselves in the cargo hold。 We are sorry for the imposition； Earl； and we thank you for your kindness。 If you will only put us ashore at the next port 。。。〃
〃Leave you out among the islands somewhere？ Nonsense。〃 Aspitis leaned forward； fixing her with his brown eyes。 He had a dangerous smile； Miriamele realized； but it did not frighten her as much as she knew it should。 〃You will ride out the voyage with us； then we may put you safe back in Nabban where you belong。 It will be little more than a fortnight； Lady。 We will treat you well…both you and your guardian。〃 He briefly turned his smile on Cadrach； who did not seem to share Aspitis' good humor。 〃I think I even have some clothes on board that will fit you； Lady。 They should suit your beauty better than your。。。 traveling clothes。〃
〃How nice！〃 Miriamele said； then remembered her imposture。 〃If it meets with Brother Cadrach's approval。〃
〃You have women's clothes on board？〃 Cadrach asked； eyebrow raised。
〃Left by my sister。〃 Aspitis' smile was untroubled。
〃Your sister。〃 He grunted。 〃Yes。 Well； I shall have to think on it。〃
Miriamele started to raise her voice to the monk； then remembered her situation。 She strove to look obedient； but silently cursed him。 Why shouldn't she be allowed to wear nice clothes for a change？
As the earl began to talk animatedly of his family's great keep beside Lake Eadne…ironically； a freehold that Miriamele had visited when a very young child； although she did not now remember it…there was a rap at the door。 One of Aspitis' pages went to answer it。
〃I e to speak with the ship's lord；〃 a breathy voice said。
〃e in； my friend；〃 Aspitis said。 〃You have all met； of course。 Gan Itai； you were the one who found Lady Marya and her guardian； yes？〃
〃That is true； Earl Aspitis；〃 the Niskie nodded。 Her black eyes twinkled as they reflected the lamplight。
〃If you would be so good as to e back in a while；〃 Aspitis said to the sea watcher； 〃then we will talk。〃
〃No； please。 Earl Aspitis。〃 Miriamele stood。 〃You've been very kind； but we should not keep you any longer。 e； Brother Cadrach。〃
〃Keep me？〃 Aspitis put a hand to his breast。 〃Should I plain at being the victim of such lovely pany？ Lady Marya； you must think me a dullard indeed。〃 He bowed and took her hand； holding it for a lingering moment against his lips。 〃I hope you do not think me too forward； sweet lady。〃 He snapped his fingers for a page。 〃Young Thures will show you to your beds。 I have put the captain out of his cabin。 You will sleep there。〃
〃Oh； but we couldn't take the captain's 。。。〃
〃He spoke out of turn and did not show you proper respect； Lady Marya。 He is lucky I do not hang him…but I am willing to forgive。 He is a simple man； not used to women on his ships。 A few nights sleeping at general quarters with his crew will do him no harm。〃 He dragged fingers through his curly hair； then waved his hand。 〃Go on； Thures； lead them。〃
He bowed to Miriamele again； then smiled politely at Cadrach。 This time Cadrach returned the smile； but it seemed little more than a baring of teeth。 The little page； lantern held carefully before him； led his charges out the door。
Aspitis stood silent a while in thought； then found the wine ewer and poured himself another gobletful； which he drank off in a long swallow。 At last he spoke。
〃So； Gan Itai； it is unusual for you to e here…and it is even more unusual for you to leave the bow at night。 Are the waters so untroubled that your song is not needed？〃
The Niskie shook her head slowly。 〃No； Ship's Master。 The waters are very troubled； but for this moment they are safe； and I wished to e and tell you that I am disturbed。〃
〃Disturbed？ By the girl？ Surely Niskies are not superstitious like sailors。〃
〃Not like sailors； no。〃 She pulled her hood forward； hiding all but her bright eyes。 〃The girl and the monk； even if they are not what they say； are the least of my worries。 There is a great storm ing down from the north。〃
Aspitis looked up at Gan Itai。 〃You left the bow to tell me that？〃 he asked mockingly。 〃I have known that since before we set sail。 The captain says we will be out of deep waters before the storm reaches us。〃
〃That may be； but there are great shoals of kilpa moving in from the northern seas； as if they are swimming before the storm。 Their song is fierce and cold； Earl Aspitis； they seem to e up from the blackest water； from the deepest trenches。 I have never heard the like。〃
Aspitis stared for a moment； his whole aspect slightly out of kilter； as though the wine had finally begun to effect him。 〃Eadne Cloud has many important tasks to perform for Duke Benigaris；〃 he said。 〃You must do what it is your life's work to do。〃 He lowered his head into the palms of his hands。 〃I am tired； Gan Itai。 Go back to the bow。 I need to sleep。〃
The Niskie watched him for a moment； full of imponderable gravity； then bowed gracefully and backed out of the door； letting it fall shut behind her with a quiet thump。 Earl Aspitis leaned forward across the table； pillowing his head on his forearms in the circle of lamplight。
〃It is good to be around a nobleman once more；〃 Miriamele said。 〃They are full of themselves； yes； but they do understand how to show a woman respect。〃
Cadrach snorted from his pallet on the floor。 〃I find it hard to believe you could set any value in that ringleted fop； Princess。〃
〃Hush！〃 Miriamele hissed。 〃Idiot！ Don't speak so loudly！ And don't call me that I am Lady Marya； remember。〃
The monk made another noise of disgust。 〃A noblewoman chased by Fire Dancers。 That was a pretty tale to spin。〃
〃It worked； didn't it？〃
〃Yes； and now we must spend our time with Earl Aspitis； who will ask question after question。 If you had only said you were a poor tailor's daughter who had hidden in fear for her virtue； or some such； the earl would leave us alone and put us off at the first island where they take on water and provisions。〃
〃And make us work like dogs until then…i