Thats because youre so awful at cards, Renard didnt say. He wasnt sure he agreed with having to cheat to lose, as it seemed to defeat the whole point of cheating, frankly, but hopefully the payoff would be better than the losses.

Tell me again, Renard insisted.

Ah, eager to get a new song out of it? the sailor said.

Maybe.

Well, this is probably not for songs, the sailor said. Lord Carrick wouldnt like it.

Renard shrugged. Tell me anyway. Maybe Ill change a few things. You know what liars singers get to be.

Aye, the sailor said. He took another swig of the beer Renard had bought him. Gods, this is awful stuff. Now, where was I?

The story.

Oh, yes. Well, I was crewing on a treasure ship, wasnt I, going out the long way because King Ravin has to be paid by his colonies out west, out on Sarras.

The mention of the Southern king was enough to keep Renards interest. And then what?

Caught the edge of one of the tides, didnt we? the sailor said. Went too close to the mouth of the rivers estuary in the wrong tide, and got ourselves sucked onto the rocks. The look of horror on his face as he thought about it was enough to make Renard believe him. Why anyone would chance going near the powerful pull of the Slate, he didnt know.

I barely got off, the man said. Me and a few of the others. Obviously, the captains dead by that point, and some of the lads are stupid enough to go to the local lord, say what we have, say that theyll show him where, for a price.

And you know that how? Renard said.

Because one of them came to me after, looking frightened, like hed done the stupidest thing in his life. Maybe he had, because Ive not seen him since. From what he said, they took Lord Carrick down to the spot where we washed up, and he had his men pick it clean; took the treasure back to his grand house in the city. Then he had those who knew about it killed. My friend barely got away.

He was probably dead now, Renard mused. So, probably, would the sailor be in a few days. Lord Carrick was not rumored to be a kind or gentle lord. The inn sat on his lands, and there were plenty who came through who had their complaints about him. Quietly, if they had sense. Of course, that was what made this prospect so appealing.

What kind of treasure was on this ship? Renard asked.

Why? Planning to go and ask his lordship for some of it?

Renard forced a laugh at that. Ha, maybe, or maybe I just need the details for my song. What was it? Statues? Art? Gold bars?