Rafe glanced to the other robed figures. He saw the faint glow of their eyes and the gleam of moonlight on their metal hands. There were four of them. He'd seen the mechoservitor Isaak-he'd even conversed with the mechanical over breakfast during the voyage back to the Delta. Truly one of the Order's greatest wonders. And he'd heard bits of rumor and gossip among the men he'd transported-Charles, Aedric and the others-about the hidden library, Sanctorum Lux, reduced to ashes by mechoservitors now fled to unknown quarters.

"You're one of the mechanicals from Sanctorum Lux," he said.

But the mechoservitor ignored the statement. "Your arrival is the salvation of the light," the metal man said, stepping forward. "We have urgent need of your vessel in the formulation of our response."

Rafe Merrique prided himself on knowing which jobs to take and which to turn down. This one, he realized, was the latter. I should not have come here. I should not have heeded the bird. His mouth went dry as he found the words. "My vessel," he said, "is not for hire after all."

"The Kinshark is a Tam-manufactured galleon sailing with a complement of forty-seven men," the metal man continued, again ignoring Rafe's words. "Stealth oils are applied routinely for concealment, and scout powders are administered to the crew in three shifts to maximize effectiveness and minimize adverse health impacts. The vessel boasts comfortable passenger accommodations and various holds-concealed and plain-for the transport of sensitive goods. Minimum seagoing complement is four men."

The other three robed figures were converging on them now, walking slowly, metal frames clicking and gears whirring beneath their plain gray robes.

"We're leaving now," Rafe told his men as he turned back to the longboat.

But as he moved toward the boat, a metal hand came down firmly upon his shoulder. Rafe spun, reaching for his cutlass, but another hand gripped his wrist and he cried out at the strength of it. Around him, his men surged to life, but the mechoservitors were faster and stronger. Struggling, he twisted against his captor and saw his first mate collapse beneath a hand on his windpipe. "You will be adequately compensated," the mechanical said, "upon our return."