[No, it doesn't count, but Kit's still had a damned sight more experience with rough lawless places--with any places beyond a locked tower and a ragged trail in the wake of the rebellion. It would take intense and prolonged duress for Vandelin to admit that a city like this makes him feel lost and naive and very small.]

So you're saying I probably shouldn't walk into a pub and try that Diamondback trick you taught me. [He wouldn't; it's not the sort of trouble Van looks for, but Kit probably knows by now that he can find himself more than enough trouble elsewhere.]

Maker only knows. The ships are-- ['Torn up all to shit,' he's about to say, but there's the faintest pause as he reflects on the worry in Kit's voice and quickly recalibrates the amount of candor that feels appropriate. Kit doesn't need to know how narrow their escape may or may not have been.] --being worked on now, and I don't know from ship repairs. It could be done tomorrow, for all I know. But probably another week or so at least.