A short story from the world of the "On Dark Shores" fantasy series. Ten years before the action in that novel, a ship's captain goes to Scarlock to see the moneylender Copeland, pleading for more time to pay off his debt. 1.5k words

Trapped in fear and poverty after the death of her parents, the thief Nereia will go to desperate lengths to protect her beautiful younger sister from the brutality of Copeland the moneylender. No-one has dared to attempt escape before; the whole of Scarlock trembles in his grasp. Only Nereia’s cunning and some unlooked-for help give her hope.... In a country still recovering from war, events are stirring, and the little harbour-town will not remain obscure for long; but in Scarlock, right now, Mr Copeland is coming to call - and this time he's not taking no for an answer....