Croy lifted his hands in resignation. “He never discharged me from his service. I swore an oath to defend him until my last breath.”

“And you still intend to keep it?” Malden asked.

The knight’s brow furrowed. “Yes, of course. How could I break that troth and still live with myself? I would die a thousand deaths before I dishonored myself.”

Malden stared at the knight. Then he looked to Kemper, who seemed as uncertain as he was. “So you came looking for me—why? To bring me to justice? Did you expect me to turn myself in, to show contrition now that the theft is done?”

“I thought you might know where Hazoth is keeping it. I thought you might know how I can recover it. If you stole something once, you might know how to steal it again.”

Kemper started to speak, but Malden held up a hand for silence. He had no reason whatsoever to let Croy know that he was already bent on that very endeavor. “Do you have any idea how dangerous it would be to try? Can you think of any reason I would even consider the job you’re talking about?”

“He’s askin’ how much yer payin’,” Kemper suggested.

“I can’t give you any money,” Croy said. “But you would have the greatest of rewards—knowing you struck a blow for justice.” Malden started to laugh, but Croy stopped him by speaking again. “Cythera is a prisoner of the sorcerer Hazoth. As long as he possesses that crown, she will never be free.”

“And what, exactly, should that mean to me?”

Croy blinked. “Everything, of course. You’ve met her. You know she doesn’t deserve that fate. When last we met, Malden, I got the sense you cared for her in some way. If I was wrong I’ve slit my own throat, clearly. But I don’t think I was wrong.”

“Let me get this straight,” Malden said. “You found yourself in the Smoke, all but dead, hunted by the entire city watch. You knew your only way of surviving was to get the crown back from Hazoth. So you sent for me, the thief who stole it, thinking I would help you simply because there’s a woman in peril who needs to be rescued.”

“Yes,” Croy said, as if very glad that Malden finally understood.

“What in the Bloodgod’s name are you?” Malden asked finally.

“In the name of the Lady, I am an Ancient Blade,” Croy answered.

As if that explained everything.