"Shokrakar," he clarified, letting the consonants roll off his tongue like something new and pleasant to taste. "'Rebel'." He seemed to pause as if to commit all this to memory.

"I've never seen or heard of such a thing; but I suppose if slaves can escape the Imperium, than others might flee the Qun. Is it ha--" he paused, corrected himself after puffing thoughtfully on his pipe, "What grew your interest in the work? And why.. of all places.. here?"