‘Heboric? Deepsoil.’ She thought to ask why he wanted him instead of her, but the question drifted away. He could touch her tonight. She’d grown to like calluses.

Beneth was paying Captain Sawark a visit and he’d decided to take her with him. He was looking to make a deal, Felisin belatedly realized, and he’d offer her to the captain as an incentive.

They approached Rathole Round from Work Road, passing Bula’s Inn where half a dozen off-duty Dosii guards lounged around the front door, their bored gazes tracking them.

‘Walk a straight line, lass,’ Beneth grumbled, taking her arm. ‘And stop dragging your feet. It’s what you like, isn’t it? Always wanting more.’

An undercurrent of disgust had come to his tone when he spoke to her. He’d stopped making promises. I’ll make you my own, girl. Move in with me. We won’t need anyone else. Those gruff, whispered assurances had vanished. The realization did not bother Felisin. She’d never really believed Beneth anyway.

Directly ahead, Sawark’s Keep rose squat from the centre of Rathole Round, its huge, rough-cut blocks of stone stained from the greasy smoke that never really left Skullcup. A lone guard stood outside the entrance, a pike held loosely in one hand. ‘Hard luck,’ he said once they were near.

‘What is?’ Beneth demanded.

The soldier shrugged. ‘This morning’s cave-in, what else?’

‘We might’ve saved some,’ Beneth said, ‘if Sawark had sent us some help.’

‘Saved some? What’s the point? Sawark’s not in the mood if you’ve come here to complain.’ The man’s flat eyes flicked to Felisin. ‘If you’re here with a gift, that would be another matter.’ The guard opened the heavy door. ‘He’s in the office.’

Beneth grunted. Tugging at Felisin’s arm, he dragged her through the portal. The ground floor was an armoury, weapons lining the walls in locked racks. A table and three chairs were off to one side, the leavings of the guards’ breakfast crowding the small tabletop. Up from the room’s centre rose an iron staircase.

They ascended a single flight to Sawark’s office. The captain sat behind a desk that seemed cobbled together from driftwood. His chair was plushly padded with a high back. A large, leather-bound tally book was opened before him. Sawark set down his quill and leaned back.