Up, a voice barked, nice and slow.

If you think Im moving anywhere quickly, Renard muttered, youve never been properly hungover before.

Looking round, he saw that he was in his room in the inn, not Yselles, which was probably a blessing. He didnt want her dragged into the middle of this. He didnt want him dragged into the middle of this, but that part didnt seem to be optional.

Instead of her, there were about a dozen of Lord Carricks… well, finest was probably too strong a word, but they were big, and they were tough.

Whats all this about, lads? Renard said, trying for charm. It was amazing what charm could get you into, or out of. Im sure all this is some big misunderstanding.

Oh, no misunderstanding, one of the guardsmen said. He lifted up Renards coin purse, tipping out a wash of the stolen gold. Just a mistake you shouldnt have made.

Oh that, Renard said. There was this man giving out coin last night, and whos going to say no to free coin? I mean, you wouldnt, right?

Renard could only put the clumsiness of his attempt to bribe them down to his aching head. It wasnt improved when one of them hit him.

If you do that again, he said, theres a very good chance Ill throw up on you.

Right then, it was about the only threat he could muster. One, even two of them he could have fought clear of, but a dozen?

Youre the one who was giving out coin, one of the guards said. He beckoned and yet another guard came in, holding a familiar figure by the arm. Renard recognized the broad-faced farmer instantly.

Thats him, the man said, pointing. Thats the one who gave us those strange-looking coins. Just remember Im the one who told you. Im loyal.

Renard sighed. There was just no helping some people. Try to do a good thing for them, and they only found a way to turn it into trouble. Or maybe it was him; hed always had a knack for finding trouble where there hadnt been any before.

Oh, him, Renard said. Hes just jealous because I beat him in a card game and won all these coins off him. If you ask me, hes probably the one who stole them.

You announced your theft to the entire inn, the peasant pointed out.

Ah, hed done that, hadnt he? Exactly how drunk had he been last night?

Weve all the evidence we need, the guard said. We have coins that could only have come from Lord Carricks supply, and a witness who says you were the one who gave him them. Im sure that when we put them to the question, the others in the inn will say the same too.