Glokta heard Frost thumping down the hall, saw him looming up at the doorway, fists clenched. He held up a finger. 'It's alright. Wait outside.' The albino faded back into the shadows, and Glokta hobbled across the creaking boards into the empty sitting room. 'What happened?'

Ardee's mouth twisted. 'It seems my father was not nearly so well off as everyone imagined. He had debts. Soon after my brother left for Angland, they came to collect.'

'Who came?'

'A man called Fallow. He took all the money I had, but it wasn't enough. They took the plate, my mother's jewels, such as they were. They gave me six weeks to find the rest. I let my maid go. I sold everything I could, but they wanted more. Then they came again. Three days ago. They took everything. Fallow said I was lucky he was leaving me the dress I was wearing.'

'I see.'

She took a deep, shuddering breath. 'Since then, I have been sitting here, and thinking on how a friendless young woman can come by some money.' She fixed him with her eye. 'I have thought of only one way. I daresay, if I had the courage, I would have done it already.'

Glokta sucked at his gums. 'Lucky for us both that you're a coward, then.' He shrugged one shoulder out of his coat, then had to wriggle and flail to get his arm out. Once he finally did, he had to fumble his cane across into his other hand so he could finally throw it off. Damn it. I can't even make a generous gesture gracefully. Finally he held it out to her, tottering slightly on his weak leg.

'You sure you don't need it more than me?'

'Take it. At least then I won't have to get the bloody thing back on.'

That brought half a smile from her. 'Thank you,' she muttered as she pulled it round her shoulders. 'I tried to find you, but I didn't know… where you were…'

'I am sorry for that, but I am here now. You need not worry about anything. You will have to come and stay with me tonight. My quarters are not spacious, but we'll find a way.' There will be plenty of room once I am face down in the docks, after all.

'What about after that?'

'After that you will come here. Tomorrow this house will be just as it was.'

She stared at him. 'How?'

'Oh, I will see to it. First of all we get you in the warm.' Superior Glokta, friend to the friendless.