Page 284 of Commander’s Mate

“Where?”

“Wrist bands. Sometimes neck tags.”

“Anything else?”

“Numbers beginning seven-two.”

I looked up.

“You’re sure?”

“No.”

The honesty made the detail more valuable.

“I think.”

“Good.”

She frowned.

“How is unsure good?”

“Because people keep trying to turn uncertainty into fact. We don’t.”

Nera considered that.

Then nodded.

“There was a woman.”

My pulse changed.

“Farseek?”

“Yes.”

“Name?”

“She would not tell guards.”

“Did she tell you?”

“No.”

Disappointment hit hard and immediate.

Nera watched my face.

“She carved on the wall.”

I stopped breathing.

“What?”

“Three stars.”

The room disappeared.