Chapter Thirty-Three
Door Knock
In Karesk, a sudden shower cleared the winding Old Town streets. Water sluiced down the cobbles and the smell of wet stone and leather competed with the sweaty aroma of humid people crushed together under what awnings there were.
Casco knew he should be thinking about organizing his first batch of émigrés, or making plans to get Duvät to the Imperial Bays and return safely, but the closed face of the Hermes wouldn’t leave him. He didn’t even know her name – but then, no one knew a Hermes’ name.
A familiar hail came from behind and he half turned as Shen pushed through to his side.
Starry times! Shen bumped his shoulder. Smokin, ja?
Shen knew his level of admiration was embarrassing, but he continued regardless, counting off on his fingers, “First o’ Ru
