The hold was dark and smelly, and very dirty. The floor was slimy with rotting food, and there was water in the bilge.

He put his lamp on the deck and stooped over to examine the cargo. There were hogshead of olive oil, barrels of tallow, casks of wine, and bags of sugar and wool.

And there, chained among the merchandise: a rabbit hybrid, a rare creature Tasufin had only seen in bestiaries. The captain's eyes gleamed as he saw the manacled hybrid curled up in a corner, staring fearfully at him. He lifted the lamp and stared at the rabbit-eared creature.

"By the sea powers," he exclaimed. "I've heard of these creatures, but I've never seen one before. Where in the world did you come from, Rabbit?"