[ She shakes her head, holding her 'daughter' close to her and - Devi to her credit - plays the part perfectly. Her sad eyes peering behind her mother's skirts, saying in soft words. 'When will we find my papa?' ]

He never said. He told me nothing. Only that he was from Komarr, he made love to me, promised me always, and left on a ship like this one.

[ It's familiar, a tale told by too many women. Requires little embellishment save the pain and regret in her voice. ]