A'harhk'nis looked up into the rigging. "I should relieve the lookout and watch for myself."

His voice was so quiet that it was difficult to hear, but Hkuan'duv agreed. "Yes. Good."

A'harhk'nis stepped upon the rail-wall, snatched the rope ladder to the mainmast, and clambered upward.

His sharp eyes might be no better than those of a seasoned crewman, but should they close too quickly upon the other ship, Hkuan'duv felt more secure in A'harhk'nis's judgment. But as the day wore on, no word came from above.

"What if the girl was discovered?" Kurhkage asked. "What would Sgailsheilleache do?"

Hkuan'duv turned away from the prow, not wanting to answer. Indeed, what would he himself do if one of his own caste were sent to spy on him? He did not wish to even think about it. He must focus on his purpose, for the sake of his people.

"Greimasg'ah!" A'harhk'nis called from high above. "Look to the beach!"

Hkuan'duv turned to lean upon the shoreward rail-wall.

Even at this distance, their hair glowed in the afternoon sun. Tall figures moved up the coastline and became distinct as they approached. He realized he was looking at an an'Croan ship's crew, but why were they ashore, and where was their Pairvanean?

"Are there outsiders with them?" Hkuan'duv called up.

"No… I see only an'Croan."

Amid the captain's call and the crew's shouts, they began preparing a skiff. Several people onshore saw the oncoming ship. They waved their arms and cloaks in the air.

Hkuan'duv leaped down the forecastle stairs, closing on the skiff being lowered over the side.

"A'harhk'nis, come down," he shouted.

He scanned the sea, but saw no sign of the other Pairvanean. What had become of Sgailsheilleache, Osha… and the humans?

As the ship came to anchor, Hkuan'duv stepped to the rail-wall gate, taking up the skiff's anchoring line. The hkomas rushed in and jerked it from his hand.

"This is no longer your concern," he said. "Our people are stranded. They take precedence over this pursuit of yours."

Hkuan'duv almost let anger get the better of him. But the hkomas was correct, his harsh tone justified, and who could blame him? Anmaglahk had taken polite control of his vessel, and they trailed their own people like a pack of skulking Ylladon.

"I must know what happened," Hkuan'duv explained, "and as quickly as possible."

"Then you are welcome to accompany my crew, Greimasg'ah."

The hkomas's hard words clearly implied who was now in charge.

"You may ask your questions," the hkomas added, "so long as you do not impinge upon the well-being of those left stranded."

Hkuan'duv nodded slowly. He gestured to his team to wait on board and descended quickly into the skiff.

As the small boat closed upon the shore, two of the exhausted land-bound crew waded out to guide it in. Hkuan'duv saw burns and other injuries among those stranded, and the knot in his stomach tightened. He counted heads, and by a quick estimate, a fourth of a standard cargo vessel crew was missing. A middle-aged man in a brown head scarf came closer. His face and arm were badly burned.

"Anmaglahk?" he breathed in surprise. "How did you reach us so quickly? Did Sgailsheilleache send word?"

"You are the hkomas?" Hkuan'duv asked. "Where is your ship? Where is Sgailsheilleache?"

The questions sounded cold even to Hkuan'duv.

"We came upon and pursued a Ylladon ship, after hearing of a settlement raid." His voice faltered. "They turned on us with no regard for their own vessel… and burned the Pairvanean."

Hkuan'duv blinked in chilled disbelief.

"Our hkoeda sent a swimmer," the hkomas added. "Which sent the Ylladon to bottom."

"You had swimmers on a cargo vessel?" Hkuan'duv asked, and then waved off the question before the hkomas answered. "What of Sgailsheilleache?"

The hkomas scowled, not expecting this exchange. "He left with the humans and a majay-hi, traveling south along the coast."

"On foot?"

"Yes, on foot," the man snapped. "How else?"

Shame flooded Hkuan'duv as he looked at the pinched, burned faces and frightened eyes of his people. Their ship had been murdered and a fourth of them with it, while he had sat waiting beyond the horizon for Avranvard. She must have died in the battle, or she would have called him.

"You have my sorrow," he whispered and meant it. "We will take everyone aboard and get them home."

The hkomas closed his eyes and nodded.

The skiff was loaded first with those with the worst injuries. Hkuan'duv waded into the surf as two more skiffs arrived. He pulled one ashore and began helping his people climb in. As the last boarded, Hkuan'duv reached out and touched the hkomas's hand.

"I have others of my caste on board. Please tell them I wait here, and to bring all of our gear. Tell them to ask the ship's crew for as much white canvas or cloth as they can spare. Safe journey and peace to you."

The hkomas nodded. "And to you… wherever you walk now."

Hkuan'duv stood alone upon the shore, watching the skiffs rock through the surf toward the ship. Or was he alone?

He cocked his head at footsteps coming along the beach behind him.

The sound faltered several times in a fumbling attempt at silence. He did not turn until he knew this amateur skulker was within reach, and then he found himself facing a girl with a thick braid and oversized boots.

"I am Avranvard," she said quietly.

Hkuan'duv suppressed his surprise.

"Why did you not board with your crew?" he demanded.

After an instant of her own shock, she replied, "I belong with you-"

"Why did you not contact me?"

"It all happened too quickly," she rushed on, her voice pained. "I was on deck amid the fire and could not abandon my duties to send word. I… I tried to help… but everything was burning."

Hkuan'duv breathed out through his mouth. This child was not to blame. She was not Anmaglahk and never should have been placed in this role.

"It is all right," he said. "You followed your duty. No one would expect otherwise."

He waited as Avranvard regained her composure.

"Can you tell me more of what happened?" he asked.

She sniffed and began recalling bits and pieces of the marauder vessel's first sighting-and the strange behavior of Magiere and the majay-hi. She told of the an'Croan woman dangled over the side of the Ylladon ship, cut loose to drown, and how Sgailsheilleache had jumped overboard to go after her. Beyond these details, events had become too chaotic for the girl to follow as she recounted trying to put out the flames consuming the ship.

Hkuan'duv listened silently with patience.

"But on the beach," Avranvard added in the end, "Sgailsheilleache abandoned us! I told him who I was… that Most Aged Father sent me… but he refused me and left with those humans."

Hkuan'duv's lips parted in brief hesitation. "You did not tell him of my presence?"

She straightened. "Of course not. My purpose was to watch and report to you, and nothing more. But now I am cut off."

"Do not be concerned. Join your crew, and you will be home again soon."

Avranvard stared at him, and her young features went slack. "But… I am with you. I did just as Most Aged Father asked me."

Hkuan'duv was uncertain how to respond. What had this girl been promised?

"I must travel quickly," he explained. "My team and I go south. You must return with the ship."

"No!" she nearly shouted. "I am to be Anmaglahk! Most Aged Father promised. I will help you track Leshil and the humans."

Hkuan'duv had no intention of explaining the skills required, ones Avranvard did not possess. Yet, for all she had done and all she had been through, he pitied her.

This selfish, defiant young woman would never be accepted as an initiate. Her spirit was entirely unsuitable. How could Most Aged Father promise such to someone who did not possess the necessary potential? But that lie was all Hkuan'duv had left to save Avranvard from herself.