the questions were put:

"That should be Dason's galley?"

"It was," said Tob.

"Oh, I saw Dason's head on your beak," said the port-captain.
"You were Tatho's captain?"

"And am still. Tatho's fleet was sent by Dason and his friends
to the sea-floor, and so we took this stinking galley to finish
the voyage in, seeing that it was the only craft left afloat."

The port-captain was roving his eye over the group of us who
stood on the after-deck. "I fear me, captain, that you'll have but
a dangerous reception. I do not see my Lord Deucalion. Or does he
come with some other navy? Gods, captain, if you have let him get
killed whilst under your charge, the Empress will have the skin
torn slowly off you living."

"What with Phorenice and Tatho both so curious for his
welfare," said Tob, "my Lord Deucalion seems but a dangerous
passenger. But I shall save my hide this voyage." He jerked at me
with his thumb. "He's there to put in a word for me himself."

The port-captain stared for a moment, as if unbelieving, and
then, as though satisfied, made obeisance like a fellow well used
to ceremonial. "I trust my lord, in his infinite strength, will
pardon my sin in not knowing him by his nobleness before. But
truth to tell, I had looked to see my lord more suitably