She brought her sword up again, and looked as if to challenge us. "Nobody lets me do anything. I do what I do, and I do it well, and you would do well not to stand in my way. I am the most dangerous captain on any sea, and I will have words with anyone who says otherwise."

For a moment, we weren't sure what to do. It was remarkable that a human had taken so long to recognize us for what we were, and I could not decide if it was a credit to her bravado or a demerit to her intelligence.