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“I’m sure Ara means no harm,” Dezeeves cuts in, gaze fixed on me. “She is, of course, still Integrating and learning our Accords.” He drops his fork. Pushes back his ratty silver ponytail. “How may we help you, Ara? More useful information to share?”

“Oh, no. This is a personal request,” I say, glancing at the officers.

“Do not worry yourself about my officers. There is nothing you could tell me that they would feel discomforted to hear, or that I would not in turn tell them. We have no secrets between us.”

I swallow. Clear my throat. “I recently learned that Cosmer gave up his Sky Provision when he became a soldier⁠—”

“We are aware,” he interjects.

“He gave it up for me. Or rather, for my household. On the ground.”

His face hasn’t moved a muscle.

“You were aware of that also?”

He rests his head on his pale knuckles. “You must stop assuming I do not know things about my ship or my crew, Ara. It’s becoming patronising.”

My knees threaten to give way.

I steel myself.

“My request, Captain⁠—”

“Just Dezeeves, please. Titles are so redundant. And against the Hevallan spirit of equality.”

“My request, Dezeeves,” I begin again, feeling winded, “In light of me being now on board the ship, and receiving Provision here – is that Cosmer’s Sky Provision be reinstated.”

Ephraine sputters, his silver eye rolling in its socket.

“I appreciate the heroism, Ara,” Dezeeves says calmly. “But I am afraid that would be Cosmer’s decision to make. Not yours.” He looks at me askance. “And would your family on the ground not still require the additional Provision from his Sacrifice?”

“That’s just it,” I say, more confident now. “If I am to be Fully Integrated within the week, my prisoner status will be removed, and I will be a Hevallan soldier.”

“Yes…”

“Which will mean my brother and grandmother will be entitled to compensation.”

Ephraine laughs harder.

“A Rhavnan prisoner wouldn’t get compensation!”

I say, hunching over him slightly, “I’m half-Rhavnan. But I’m also half-Hevallan. And I wouldn’t be a prisoner. Dezeeves just confirmed I would be a soldier. Fighting for Hevalla. And to deny my family in Hevalla compensation, would be⁠—”

“A breach of The Accords,” someone says, from further up the table. “On Benefits. Article Two.”

My eyes travel up to Meg.

It’s like I’m seeing her for the first time. She’s lined her dark, deep-set eyes in black powder, which makes them even more prominent, and she’s in a dramatic low-cut dress with pluming sleeves, which is clearly Rhavnan-made. It shows off how curvy and womanly she is. I hadn’t noticed how beautiful she was until now.

“Shall I write to The Assembly, Dezeeves?” she says helpfully, eyes glinting. “If you’re amiss of the rules in this unique situation?”

“I am not amiss of the rules, Meg,” he blurts. Decisively, he says, “Of course Ara’s family in Hevalla would receive compensation. I had just not considered that particular aspect of her Integration.” Back to me, he turns serious. “But the matter remains that you are not yet Integrated, and that you are not Cosmer himself, who – being an adult and a second officer – can make his own decisions, I am sure.”

I shuffle on the spot. Quieter, I say, “Dezeeves. He’s been starving⁠—”

I fall silent. Dezeeves is standing.

Leaning over the table, voice low, he says, “Let me make something very clear to you, Ara. If there is one single person on board this entire ship I would not let starve to death, it’s that boy.”