Helen came and found Serenica nearly asleep over a tankard of ale. Theod had bought it for her. The smuggler was in a lousy shape as well. It was nearly midnight.
"Oh for hell's sake," Helen complained. "I am worried out of my mind and doing everything I can to get you into even worse troubles, and you are drinking. Drinking with pirates."
"He's a smuggler," Serenica corrected. "He has given me a lot of valuable information. Did you know? Swordly is playing on both sides."
"If I have to listen to another word about mourning dresses, I'll cut you, I swear."
"Do you know who he serves besides Kinley?"
"No, I don't, and I don't care. Serenica, come with me. I have private business with you."
"The things that beautiful ladies share in private do not concern me, but I am not shocked by them," Theod said sheepishly.
