Summary

Members of the group gather in the ship's cabin, but their efforts at talking to the Hvexdet are met with silence. Patrick is not pleased about Valerian's plan, saying his reputation is on the line. However, he has orders from Lord Seal, and prepares to set the plan in motion. A crew member interrupts. He has a whispered conversation with Patrick, who then begins to shout in anger that the crew has gambled away vital parts of the ship to the Shingouz. The captain is furious and points out that they are technically on “English soil,” but the Shingouz says that they actually own the ship now (25). Laureline threatens to leave them on a iceberg unless they set the situation right. They agree to “delay payment” and Patrick sets the boat moving toward the Hvexdet...