Book excerpt: Captain Pausert, master of the old pirate chaser Venture has finally found his niche. Unlucky in love and unsuccessful in business on his home planet, he seems to have a knack for selling job lot cargoes around the fringes of the Empire. In fact, he's so far ahead of the game that he even finds time for the occasional heroic act. Like rescuing three poor child slaves from their abusive masters. And then discovers he's broke again, wanted by the authorities and at odds with the most malevolent force in all of space. For Pausert hasn't rescued any ordinary put upon juvenile slaves but three of the legendary witches of Karres complete with awesome psi powers...