Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kurt was gloomy. For one thing, he didn't like the ship he was on. They were heading for New Serene, a city of a new corporation, founded by mutants. Kurt didn't exactly hate mutants: he barely remembered the time when they worked as slaves in his corporation. And after their liberation, few people saw them. 

Of course, there were rumours about their city, Mutant Valley. And about Noctis. And Kurt had never thought he would see either... 

Now Kurt looked out of the window of their sandship at the endless dusty road ahead and thought how surprising life could be.

“Do you like the view?”

Kurt started and looked round: Vasco, the captain, was standing behind him. The ship had such an elaborate name that Kurt constantly forgot it.

“Our road looks... promising,” he answered evasively, looking at Vasco, whose facial tattoos would make anyone swoon in Abundance. But Kurt liked his tattoos. “Despite its monotony.”

Vasco grinned and adjusted his high collar.

“Believe me, soldier. The roads of Mars only seem that way.”

Kurt didn't exactly believe it, but he didn't argue; after all, it was better to have an overly enthusiastic guide than any other. He could not come to terms with the title of captain for a person who wasn't in the army.

“Have you been to New Serene?”

“Yes. Noctis always traded with the mutants. Remember, it's not just mutants that await you…”

“So I've heard,” Kurt winced. 

Many on Mars were still reeling from the knowledge that the Earth was destroyed. The renegade technomancer who revealed this also announced that technomancy itself was caused by a mutation, deliberately provoked to provide protection against radiation on Mars.

After that, scientists began to use this knowledge to find ways to prevent mutations. Kurt was then too young to understand the science, but through the efforts of his parents he became one of the research programme's first volunteers. He never became a full-fledged technomancer - the new version of Scott Seeker's treatment weakened both the negative and positive effects of technomancy. Which, of course, prevented overloads, but on the other hand, ruled out a career as a technomancer.

As far as he knew, the mutations covered the entire planet, not just in the corporations. Kurt never bothered to understand the details.

However, he was first in an experimental program against mutations; then in the army; and then finally with Claude d'Orsay, who hired Kurt on what appeared to be a permanent contract to provide security for his son and nephew…

Kurt looked at Vasco again, wondering how to end this strange dialogue, when Constantin and De Sardet entered the observation room. 

“Captain Vasco,” Constantin drawled his words as he always did when he was fooling around. “Remind me, how long do we have to travel across the endless plains of Mars?”

“Five days, if we avoid the storms. At least seven, if we don't.” Vasco nodded to them. “Excuse me, I have to get back to the pilots.”

Kurt looked at him and shook his head. 

This ship was too big for his liking. Like the journey and their destination. 

“My father will be overjoyed that I'll be so very far away from him.” Constantin sat down on an empty bench near the observation window and examined the sparse landscape.

“Maybe he just wants you to be free?” De Sardet patted Constantin on the shoulder.

Kurt knew how the dialogue would end: he had watched similar conversations many times. Constantin's father, a member of the Council of Abundance, was known to be a difficult man. Kurt, who had worked for him for a long time, felt he understood him. Kurt witnessed Viktor's coup as a child, but had only heard stories about the Colonel, mostly sarcastic and riddled with mockery, but with a clear air of horror.

Of course, after Victor's death, the Council of Abundance promised this would never happen again. Kurt's parents basically did not believe the promises: their rulers changed before their eyes, and the Slums remained filled with the Vory, garbage and bar patrons...

“Your father is a hard, complex man,” he finally forced himself to speak. “But trust me, he cares about you.”

“So he shows his care for me by sending me to an unknown city at the end of the world? Well, he could just—”

“No, he couldn't,” Kurt clenched his fists. He understood perfectly well why Claude d'Orsay did what he did, but he refused to explain the purpose of his decisions. “Like me, he doesn't know how to talk to people.”

“Everyone has to learn,” Constantin answered angrily. He sighed and added: “Don't compare yourself to him, you're much better.”

“You can't teach an old dog new tricks,” Kurt shrugged.

Constantin lit an electric charge between his fingers, as he did when he was angry, and almost immediately extinguished it. 

De Sardet shook his head but said nothing.

They had been driving along the dusty roads of Mars for several days, and all this time Kurt had been watching life on the sandsail. He had never seen such large ships - those that came to Ophir were small trading wagons travelling together. Their appearance on the market square promised interesting trinkets and fresh news from other cities. Kurt, like any boy growing up in the Slums, had heard the legends of Noctis, but like all the inhabitants of Ophir, he had no idea whether they were true. He did not remember at what point in his childhood the legends were accepted as true, and everyone knew of the merchant city of Mars, though the exact coordinates remained a secret. There were rumours that Scott Seeker had seen this city, but he never spoke about it.

Ahead was New Serene - another mysterious, mythical city. Claude d'Orsay heard about it a decade ago, Kurt more recently. No one knew what it was like until the first Abundance expeditions. Now they were being transported there by a merchant ship, so huge that it could transport dozens of people and their belongings. With a captain from the real Noctis, who looked too young to command a sandship and so many people. He was probably little older than De Sardet...

Kurt preferred trains or rovers. But New Serene was far from any railroad tracks, and their group had too much gear for a rover. And of course, unspoken, but obvious to everyone - this was a one-way ticket. Constantin was to remain at their destination as a representative of Abundance (the first, but clearly not the last), and De Sardet was to establish connections. And Kurt was supposed to protect them.

The whole idea, from the journey to their roles, seemed far-fetched to Kurt, but there was no way he could refuse his employer; arguing with the Council of Abundance was never a smart move.

And leaving Abundance let him leave behind army life once and for all.

Time dragged. Too slowly for Kurt to hope to stay in his seat: even if his own curiosity waned, one of his charges (usually Constantin) would get the idea of ​​exploring the ship, or distracting the people, or discussing their future route, constantly getting in the way of the crew.

This time, Kurt, who lost sight of Constantin half an hour ago, found him next to Vasco at his workplace.

“The ship can also travel by day,” Vasco patiently explained, pointing to some drawings on his datapad. “We have it protected from solar radiation, here and here…”

“What about all the stops? I noticed several for each day of the journey, and at least one of them was at the sun's zenith.”

“Those are maintenance stops,” Vasco seemed calm, as if he was not annoyed by all these questions. “At those times, you cannot leave the ship, because the sails and shields are recharging.”

“How do the shields reduce the radiation?”

“I'm sorry, but I can't answer that question. This is merchant technology, and I, and the rest of my team, swore an oath not to reveal this knowledge to anyone except Noctis's pilots.”

It was funny to see Constantin's offended face, although Kurt didn't fall for the performance one bit. Constantin could be anything: bored, cheerful, touchy, but he was never stupid. Well, occasionally, recklessly stupid. That didn't stop Kurt from making fun of him whenever possible.

“I wouldn't worry if I were you, Vasco,” he chuckled. “He's unlikely to remember, even if you tell him. But your commitment to your vows is admirable.”

Vasco, who seemed only just to have noticed Kurt, started, but almost immediately smiled at him in a friendly manner. 

“Nice to hear. But I'm afraid flattery won't get you anywhere. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd better get back to my work and my team. There are route adjustments ahead, and I am the only navigator at present.”

He winked and Kurt hoped Constantin had missed it.

The ship's crew always seemed busy: Kurt noticed several changes of pilots and navigators, as well as other crew members whose positions he could only guess. Vasco, in one of their short chats, mentioned that there were only a few ships like this one. He seemed proud of it, but Kurt wasn't good at reading other people's emotions.

Kurt was glad to escape to his bunk at the end of the day.

“It seems our captain is making eyes at you,” De Sardet's voice sounded quiet from the next bed. Constantin was already fast asleep, and Kurt was grateful for that. 

“I think your eyes are deceiving you, Green Blood,” he said in response, hoping that this conversation would not go any further.

Even in the darkness one could sense De Sardet frowning. 

“Well he wasn't making eyes at me.” He turned to face Kurt, or so it seemed in the dim light. “You usually keep everyone at a distance, but you seem to have found a common language with him.”

“Is this the conclusion you drew from our few chats? Or has your telepathy mutation awakened?”

“Telepathy does not exist,” De Sardet waved it off. “And you're trying to change the subject.”

“Well, I'm glad that you at least noticed that correctly.” Kurt yawned; he did not like this conversation or De Sardet's attention. “But as for me, you are making a mountain out of a molehill. He's just being polite.”

“So polite that you are the only one he even starts a conversation with, unless it's professional.”

“Green Blood, leave me alone. I'm glad that you found yourself a new subject of study, but let's not go there. As for Vasco, suit yourself. Just don't tell me about other people's attention. Especially where there is none.”

“What? Don't you like him?”

Kurt cursed everything in the world and sighed heavily. The problem was just the opposite, but he tried not to think about it and just get to their destination.

“I don't care about him one way or the other,” he lied. “And I don't want a relationship with anyone. Let's end this conversation.”

Soon he would be far from Abundance. And, most likely, he would never return there. 

Perhaps, in New Serene, he could try to rebuild his life: he would no longer be a soldier; he could forget about the army.

But for now, Kurt felt Abundance still breathing down his neck, and it made his skin crawl.

Chapter Text

Vasco loved his ship and crew and the life he now lived. He had worked as an apprentice and then as a pilot for over ten years; he was the first Noctian to suggest the idea of big ships.

Mars was changed all the time. Vasco thought travellers were more aware of this than the corporations.

Teer Fradee, where they were going, was a good example. It was the new conglomeration of free cities. Vasco had been there before, but each visit felt different: the cities were growing and developing faster than he could keep up. 

Mars always needed locations safe from the sun and its radiation, and the canyons and ravines. The new safe place immediately piqued interest in Noctis and Mutant Valley. And after several water sources were found there, many mutants and technomancers who had left the Corporations decided to settle down there.

New cities and technologies appeared over the years. Fugitives from Aurora or Abundance shared new routes; there were even Noctians who decided to move into Teer Fradee.

New Serene was one of the first cities, the heart and gateway of the new world. Whenever Vasco went there, he noticed the city constantly changed, evolving and adapting.

It was strange to have representatives of Abundance aboard. Vasco kept a close eye on his clients: they were very different from those he usually saw in the Ophir marketplace. They were bolder and freer, as if Abundance had finally succeeded in raising a generation of people who could stand up for themselves as individuals and take control of their destiny. At least the son and nephew of the Council member seemed like that.

Vasco didn't know what to think about Kurt: he seemed too much of a soldier, deliberately trying to hide himself behind his bodyguard role. He was to be feared. He was the kind of person who possibly did terrible things in the line of duty… But Kurt's behaviour seemed more like a wilful illusion the more Vasco watched it.

“What should we expect?” De Sardet seemed to be a diplomat, the only one among the travellers. He asked the right questions; he was invariably polite. Vasco regretted that he wouldn't have the chance to see him in action: he would be leaving New Serene on another contract in a few days.

“Considering your status, sir De Sardet, most likely, an official delegation will meet you at the city gates.” Vasco turned off his datapad and looked up at him. 

“Before I leave your ship, should I know anything about local traditions?” 

“You're asking the wrong person,” Vasco smiled. “I am the captain of a sandsail, and all I know is limited to the traditions of Noctis or the pilots. But I think that your usual politeness will easily see you through the first meeting.”

De Sardet frowned, disappointed. 

Vasco sighed. “People in this city... and all the cities beyond New Serene rarely saw anything good from the corporations. Teer Fradee is mostly inhabited by mutants who still have a living memory of persecution. And non-mutants who left the corporations because life in them became unbearable. To see Abundance officials around can be... quite traumatic for them. Although I believe that your Council had good reason to send you here.”

“Vasco, it's a one-way ticket,” De Sardet said with a sigh. “None of us will return to Abundance. We don't want to make our new home a hell. Moreover, Constantin hates his father's legacy so much that he will do things completely differently from Ophir.”

“I never thought of him as a man of hate.”

“He is a man of love,” De Sardet smiled. “And he knows perfectly well when it is just a cover for tyranny.” 

In the morning, the outline of the New Serene's gate appeared. Vasco looked at it with anticipation and curiosity; then he realised that he was not alone in the observation lounge. 

He turned and almost bumped into Kurt. Standing so close, Vasco could see all his scars, which seemed like a story, written on his face. Vasco was curious about all of them, but suddenly he realised he was staring. 

“I'm sorry,” he cleared his throat. “I didn't think I had company.”

“And I've always been scolded for my loud footsteps.” Kurt was probably joking, but Vasco could only guess: his face was impassive, and his voice was absolutely serious. And to Vasco's surprise, Kurt seemed in no hurry to leave, keeping Vasco pressed against the observation window.

“They lied to you.” Vasco looked at Kurt very closely and thought there was more to this man than met the eye. Despite his soldierly confidence, Kurt seemed downtrodden, as if he had never been told that he mattered. Vasco suspected that people were treated like this in Abundance, particularly in Ophir. It felt awful; no one deserved this... But Vasco was starting to realise that Kurt did matter to him.

“When do we arrive?”

“By evening. Perhaps earlier. We've been lucky so far.”

“Indeed. We never saw any of the storms that the authorities use to intimidate those who want to leave.”

There was something in Kurt's words that suggested that he had once been amongst those wanting to leave. But now he was here, almost at the gates of New Serene, and his face had none of the anticipation or expectation that Vasco usually saw in his passengers. It was as if Kurt was here against his will and had just resigned himself to his life. 

“Storms are scary when you go into them unprepared. Though I thought all technomancers were prepared for them.”

“I don't know.” Kurt winced. “Maybe real technomancers are, but I'm not one of them.”

“You're not?” Vasco was sure that he had seen several discharges from Kurt's hands during the journey. On his frequent visits to Mutant Valley, Vasco had encountered many technomancers, and knew how to behave around them.

Kurt chuckled. “Neither Constantin nor I are full technomancers.” He raised his hand, and lightning ran across his palm, flashing briefly and disappearing immediately. “This is only tomfoolery. And the result of ‘vaccination’ against mutations. I don't have full combat power, but it protects me from mutations.”

Vasco had heard of this: Abundance was so afraid of mutations that it outpaced everyone else in researching the subject. Noctis didn't do that, nor did any of the other free cities.  Vasco had never seen a vaccinated person before.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he touched his fingertips to Kurt's palm. Almost immediately he felt a perceptible bite of electricity.

“Forgive me.” Vasco pulled his hand back, but more out of surprise: he knew what a technomancer's charge felt like, and this felt different... And he suddenly realised that he had overstepped the bounds of what was polite. “I shouldn't have—”

“It's okay.” Kurt finally took a step back, clearing the way for Vasco to leave. He rubbed his neck nervously and shook his head. “I think I should leave you: we'll arrive soon, and you'll probably be busy with that.”

He left, finding a hidden spot in the ship's corridor.

Vasco watched as he walked away and thought he would never understand this man.

New Serene met them in the early twilight. The high gates of the city, more symbolic than protective, were now behind them, and the ship was waiting to unload.

The huge docks were filled with workers helping to moor the sandsails. Vasco noticed several small merchant ships from Noctis with large red sails; a few local research ships with a curled diamond, the symbol of Teer Fradee, on their sides; and a small ship that only sailed between local towns and settlements.

Life in this new part of Mars was very different. There had never been corporate warfare, mutant persecution or slavery. Vasco knew little about internal politics; he had never stayed long anywhere except Noctis.

Were it not for his profession, he might have stayed here for several years out of interest. Or if he was just a merchant, he could plan his trade route to visit Teer Fradee more often... But it was Teer Fradee that gave birth to his ship: as many people wanted to settle here, Noctis built large ships to transport the settlers quickly and comfortably. And Vasco was now tied to the Sea-Horse and its contracts. His love for his ship, the roads of Mars and its endless deserts could not be denied, even for the sake of his curiosity.

He stood close to the cargo bay and watched his crew unload the ship. Behind him, he could hear his passengers stepping onto new ground for the first time.

“We are so glad to see you, sir d'Orsay...”

Vasco winced. 

No matter how young New Serene was, Vasco could quickly identify bad actors by their insincere intonations. Judging by Constantin's quiet but witty reply, he had recognised them perfectly as well. Well, that gave hope that even though he was so young, he would stay out of trouble.

“It's been a memorable week.” Kurt walked away from his charges and stood next to Vasco. “Thanks for the trip.”

Vasco smiled. “If you plan to travel again, my ship is at your service.”

“I'm afraid that without the support of the Council of Abundance, we won't have enough money to hire you.” Kurt twitched the corner of his lips, which could be interpreted as a smile. He rubbed his hands nervously and paused before looking at Vasco intently.

“Are you leaving today?”

“No, I'll stay here for a few more days. My crew needs to rest and my ship needs to be inspected.”

“Is it because of your vaunted shields, which can be recharged while on the road?”

“Not just that. Shields, sails, tracks - we have to check them all after every journey. The workshops here can do that faster than we can.”

“Even here?” 

“The technology is from Noctis,” Vasco said. “We don't have a monopoly on roads, but almost every dock has our technicians.”

“I haven't seen any in Abundance.” Kurt raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

“‘Almost every’ does not mean ‘every’.” Vasco grinned. “Corporations play by their own rules, we don't interfere. And I wouldn't leave anyone in Abundance or Aurora. Except as punishment—”

He cut himself short when he realised he had said too much and to the wrong person. But Kurt only nodded in agreement.

“I wouldn't either. Well…” He shifted from foot to foot. “Since you're not going back to your mythical city right now, I'll see you later. I have to look after my two.”

“See you,” Vasco nodded. He had no idea what Kurt had in mind during the conversation. 

He rubbed his forehead and went back to watching the ship unload, listening to De Sardet somewhere behind him, trying to be polite to someone who was lecturing him on the evils of the corporations.

Well, Vasco realised he wasn't the only one to hate the corporations.

Chapter Text

De Sardet looked with curiosity at the morning streets of New Serene. This city was fascinating, like nothing he had seen before. It was protected from sunlight by the canyon's high walls. Inside, lanterns and lamps were powered by the poison of local jellyfish. As far as De Sardet could understand, there was a farm outside the city where jellyfish were bred to do this. He had never heard of such a thing; all the farms in Abundance (and presumably in Aurora too) were devoted to food production.

New Serene was ready for the upcoming holiday. De Sardet did not remember its name, but he knew that it was one of the four annual holidays, one for each season. He would find out more from the locals...

The locals were not what De Sardet expected. Constantin's father had described New Serene as a place founded by mutants, and indeed, there were mutants here. But they were also Noctians and technomancers, as well as former corporate residents... And even the mutants here were unusual.

De Sardet shook his head and entered the city's market square, located right next to the docks. Perhaps, he thought, the problem lay with the world he had come from, and not with the way the locals lived here. New Serene and its inhabitants were symbols of change and freedom. Even the mutations here were more diverse, which only raised more questions. Questions that De Sardet couldn't answer.

Their delegation was received more easily than De Sardet had expected. No one was horrified by the Abundance representatives, and their small group was given a vacant, two-storey house near the city centre. The local authorities were planning an official reception to celebrate the delegation's arrival. Everything was going better than De Sardet had thought it would when he left Ophir.

Several houses on the main street were decorated with bright, glossy tiles. Some others were painted, while several more were covered in black-and-white circles. New Serene looked as if it were growing organically, without any plan, which would never have happened in the world from which De Sardet came. Despite this, the city seemed strangely comfortable to him.

The city had two gates. Yesterday, they saw the first of them, near the docks, the city's connection with the outside world. The second gate was lower and simpler. At the other end of the city, the rest of Teer Fradee lay beyond it. De Sardet longed to see Teer Fradee outside the city.

The Council building was nearby; it had huge windows on the upper floors and an ornately decorated facade.

This city seemed friendly and relaxed. De Sardet didn't see any patrols or military around. He could have put this down to the early hour, but the shops were already open and people were on the streets, hurrying about their business.

“I saw the Council building, your future workplace,” De Sardet said when he returned to their residence after his morning walk.

“Did you like it?” Constantin sat on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, and yawned. He hated getting up early.

De Sardet stroked his dishevelled hair, sitting down next to him. “It looks... friendly.”

“Well, we’ll see,” he yawned again. “The last thing I want is to become like my father and spend all my time at work.”

They spoke about Constantin's father, Claude d'Orsay, both too often and too seldom. De Sardet did not have a strong opinion on him: his uncle was hardly present in his life. But Constantin never forgave him for his childhood, or the fact that his father was always at work, even when it wasn't necessary. It was a long-standing resentment that was unlikely ever to end. Some days, De Sardet doubted that Constantin would even mourn his father's death. On other days, he was certain that he definitely would not.

“This Council building doesn't look suitable for overnight stays,” he said, honestly. “What do you think of New Serene?”

“It's interesting,” Constantin admitted. “Although the choice of name puzzles me. On the other hand, nobody has ever explained why the city of our birth is called Ophir.”

“It seems like something from ancient Earth legends—”

“Yes, yes, that Earth, which was destroyed a while ago.”

That afternoon, they were due to attend some kind of ceremony, about which De Sardet knew even less than he did about New Serene. It seemed their entire lives were filled with this level of uncertainty and a lack of knowledge.

“It’s good that there aren't too many of us.” De Sardet patted Constantin on the shoulder and began to unlace his boots.

“I finally feel like I'm not being watched all the time. Kurt is there, of course, but I don't mind him.”

Although Kurt was essentially a hired bodyguard, they both considered him to be more like a family member. After all, he had been dealing with all their problems for the last ten years, so it was hard not to see him as an older brother.

“I hope he'll feel better here,” said De Sardet thoughtfully.

Constantin visibly crossed his fingers and went to get ready.

All of the ceremonies at Abundance were imbued with an aura of unreality. De Sardet could sum them all up as: speeches by members of the Council, a storm of applause, more speeches, more applause, gratitude from the townspeople, and, of course, more applause. Just three rounds of this would be enough to learn their rhythm, which quickly became monotonous and tedious.

But no one looked bored in the square in the heart of New Serene. Laurine de Morange, one of the city's founders, stood on a platform in front of the crowd. She gave a well-prepared speech in her well-trained voice. De Sardet listened to her with half an ear, looking for familiar faces in the crowd. He noticed Captain Vasco, who was standing away from the crowd and looking curiously at them instead of at Morange. De Sardet nodded to him, but receiving no response, realised that Vasco was watching Kurt.

After Morange, a young woman named Siora spoke. De Sardet thought she was about his age. She was clearly a mutant, but apart from the mark on her cheek, De Sardet thought she looked quite normal. There were many others like her. De Sardet wondered what was happening to mutants and mutations in Teer Fradee, but this was not the time to ask.

“Please don't run away now the official part is over.” Morange approached their group. Apart from a massive brooch on the collar of her jacket, her appearance gave little indication that she was an official here. “We have good news to share.”

“I hope you're not planning to send us back to Abundance,” Constantin joked.

Morange laughed, and De Sardet reflected once again on the differences between his own ways and those of Constantin. He would never allow himself to joke like that in case it didn't work. Constantin wasn't afraid; he joked, and it always worked exactly the way he wanted it to.

“Don't be upset, Green Blood,” Kurt whispered. De Sardet started, as he'd not realised Kurt was so close. “No one has the charisma of your cousin.”

“I'm not upset,” he replied. “I just don't understand how he does it.”

“You don't need to,” Kurt said. “And he couldn’t survive without such skills. You know that.”

De Sardet nodded. 

“What good news have you brought us, dear Lady Morange?” Constantin asked, sincerely interested.

“Several of our research groups have returned. They found another source of water, as well as what appears to be some ruins.”

“Of Old Serene?”

Morange laughed kindly. “There has never been any Old Serene. But, looking at it another way, perhaps the excavation site could be called that.”

“Forgive my curiosity.” Constantin leaned closer to her. “Why, then, is this city named as it is?”

“Oh, it's simple. Serene was the name of the first research ship to discover this place. The city was named in its honour. But let's get back to the news. Both discoveries are exciting and important. So, we will make an official statement tomorrow.”

“Why tomorrow?” De Sardet was curious.

“Unfortunately, there are no technomancer representatives here today,” Morange explained. “And there will be a holiday the day after tomorrow. So your first few days in New Serene are going to be very busy. Try to relax and enjoy yourself.”

She left them with this news before returning to the crowd of townspeople.

“Technomancers representatives?” Kurt looked both interested and wary. “I thought all the technomancers who had left the corporations were in Mutant Valley.”

“Perhaps they aren't,” said De Sardet, shrugging. 

He saw Vasco making his way through the crowd towards them and waved to him. Kurt sighed in displeasure.

“Welcome to New Serene,” said Vasco, bowing jokingly. “Judging by what I heard from the townspeople, you were received quite warmly.”

“Oh, so you spied on them!” Constantin was so delighted that Vasco became embarrassed.

“Well, not intentionally, but I suppose I did.”

“Captain Vasco, would you be able to stay here for a few more days?” De Sardet was glad to see a familiar face. “Lady Morange suggested that we have an enjoyable week ahead of us.”

“Perhaps,” Vasco shrugged. He looked more rested and relaxed than he had during their journey. “I have some time before the next contract.”

They chatted for a little while longer as the people in the main square dispersed. De Sardet watched Kurt curiously, noting how he tried to remain both aloof and attentive while listening to their conversation.

“I hope they found you somewhere comfortable,” said Constantin, throwing a short but attentive glance at Vasco. “Your ship is spacious and very comfortable, of course, but you hardly want to spend your shore leave there.”

“Don't worry. There's a guesthouse here for caravanners, pilots, and other travellers from Noctis where we can stay.”

De Sardet liked Vasco. He seemed to be a man whose whole life revolved around his work. De Sardet hoped that one day he would find something that could impassion him the same way.

And New Serene looked like a place that could offer him something suitable and special.