Once it became clear that we weren't to be killed on the spot, the atmosphere warmed considerably. While the boats were being prepared the women and children returned from wherever it was they had vanished to. Some of them hid, other approached us, more than a few tried to touch my hair, the gold being an unusual shade among what were a darkskinned and dark haired people. One of the warriors even attempted to grab me, but Clara produced a knife in a heartbeat and persuaded him to mind his manners.

The chief's son, Garm by name, was sent with us to be our guide, though he didn't seem altogether pleased with the idea. These people had been fighting their kinfolk since Nagrip had established his domination. This is how the lasguns had come into their possession. They were horrified that their own people had abandoned their rituals to follow Nagrip's dark gospel. I was horrified also, thinking about how easy it would be to subvert simple folk all over the Imperium with nothing more sophisticated than a few crates of weapons and medicine.

"We could spend the night," I suggested to Hadrian, glancing at the sun. He shook his head firmly.

"This is the last night before the lunar tide, we cant afford to wait."

"Do we even have a plan?" I objected.

"Find Nagrip, send him to the Emperor's Judgement," he replied.

"That is more like a mission statement,' I suggested.

"Kavasa, Kavasa," he replied, alternating pronunciations. Then he grew more serious. "We cant plan till we get more information, and to do that we need to get closer."

"The Emperor Protects," I said, without much enthusiasm.