"Well, in that case, I should have nothing to worry about."

Apart from their present predicament.

"We're not clapped in irons. That's a good start."

They've been mostly left to their own devices, more or less. Nikolai climbed into the rigging without any sign of objection from their hosts. And between them, the soft green glow of shard burning in his palm, mirrored in hers.

"We're of value to them, I think. Otherwise why bother with all of this?"