Balam let out a long wheezy exhalation to Kisara. "No promises. Don't even know if we'll be staying round these parts. We ain't stayed alive this long by takin' sides in a war, you know?<br/><br/>"And war's comin'. Everyone knows it. The Dragon-Blooded are staring each other down, and they're takin' their eyes off the rest of the world. makes life easier for people like us, but makes the world scarier, you know? And I'd give even odds that Hacre's going to in flames in a year even if things were stable. But I reckon the only thing the Realm would agree on....would be four people like<em>you</em>."<br/><br/>He looked round as Zavros approached. "Heh, I don't know. A full-size freighter, maybe?"<br/><br/><br/>.....<br/><br/><br/><br/>Kersinta looked up wearing as Talion approached, did a double-take and stood up hastily, smoothing down her much-abused dress.<br/><br/>"I knew it!" she said eagerly. "I knew they'd look out for me!<br/><br/>"And....of course I want to go through with it!" she said, her voice nervous. "My family will be richly rewarded, and....and if I am judged worthy, I will dwell with the Sea Lord himself for a year....<br/><br/>"I was chosen, after all!" she said, sounding like she was making an effort not to let any uncertainty creep into her voice.