After dessert we sipped on strong cups of tea, one of the luxuries we can afford to take for granted here in the trade routes.

"Delightful," she said. "If only for a little cream."

"Don't speak to me of cream, Captain. I dream about milk at least twice a week. I run naked with milk running in rivulets from the corners of my mouth. I even miss humble parsley--zounds, how I've taken that weed for granted! And butter, I'll not describe my butter dreams, they're too depraved."

Mabbot chuckled. "We must leave something for dreams.

Auteur: Eli Brown