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Cianna was as before, and entirely calm, while the other two looked nervous and forlorn. Aeisla went on.
    â€˜Captain Baltrank, needless to say, is not overly pleased at this turn of events. Yet he is pragmatic and preferred the possibility of swords and arrows later to my axe immediately. He intends to outrun the Aeg raiders before considering further action. Meanwhile, there is little he can do about our presence save put us ashore at a place of our choosing. The question is, where?’
    All four girls were paying attention, Cianna casual, Kaissia sulky, Yi frightened. Iriel considered the question, indecisive, thinking of what lay in store for her if she returned. Public humiliation, beating and ravishment would be the least of it. She might be accused of collusion with Aeisla, maybe ducked or put in a dung barrel to test her truthfulness. To remain on the ship was little better, in the company of lecherous seaman, an axe-wielding giantess who was reputedly mad, a file-toothed barbarian, a shamed lady and a girl who had been ravished by a troll.
    â€˜What of Mund?’ she suggested. ‘In Thieron or some other fine city I… we might employ our trades or find our station. The High-Prince’s anger would mean nothing, even allow us to build an escutcheon.’
    â€˜It is possible,’ Aeisla stated, and would have continued only to be cut off.
    â€˜Mund!’ Kaissia exclaimed, glancing down at where her chemise bodice hid her tattooed breasts. ‘I would be put in a celibentuary! Where then your honour and pride, Aeisla?’
    Aeisla shrugged. ‘True, and to make for Mund also means turning our track back, dodging High-Prince Nerangarian’s raiders and navigating the Grey Deans. I am against it, and Captain Baltrank is sure to be also. The same is true for the Glass Coast, which would be difficult for me in any case.’
    â€˜It was there she slew the great warrior Kroth,’ Cianna put in proudly.
    â€˜More by luck than skill,’ Aeisla added, ‘but in fair combat. By their tradition I thus take on his honours, which in turn go to whoever slays me. There are other matters also, but doubtless you have heard the saga.’
    â€˜Ateron?’ Cianna suggested, ‘or any point along the north coast of Aegmund. ‘We could make our way to Korismund.’
    â€˜I am still shamed!’ Kaissia pointed out.
    â€˜The interior then,’ Cianna replied, ‘where few would care.’
    â€˜I care!’ Kaissia snapped. ‘Who would marry me, with the marks on my breasts and doubtless rumours circulating of how I was shamed so publicly? Any highborn man would be ashamed to ravish me.’
    â€˜Where then?’ Aeisla asked. ‘The Aeg are hardly popular across the Roads, and I know how they treat the girls. In Aponan or Poran they would chain us in a house where men would pay for the use of our bodies, or pump beer into the cavities of our bottoms and take bets as to which of us could spray the furthest. Doubtless there are other games, equally degraded. They take slaves too, so we would very likely be sold, split up and traded elsewhere.’
    â€˜Slaves?’ Kaissia broke in. ‘As with your sagas in Vendjome and Makea? To be the property of another, like a dog or a horse? Never!’
    Cianna responded with a shudder of horror, as did Iriel. Yi merely cast a sulky look towards the distant land.
    â€˜Utan?’ Cianna suggested.
    â€˜To live with dwarfs?’ Kaissia demanded in disgust.
    â€˜There are worse fates,’ Aeisla replied. ‘They are strange, but do not take slaves.’
    â€˜A fine life that,’ Cianna put in, ‘with folk whose heads barely reach our chests? Who would I fuck with?’
    â€˜Not Utan then,’ Aeisla sighed. ‘Yet we must choose. If we remain on the ship we will eventually arrive in Oretea.’
    â€˜Is Oretea a bad choice?’ Kaissia questioned. ‘These seamen seem docile