Coin, the sailor said, and Renard heaved a silent sigh of relief. If it had been any of the things hed mentioned, they would have been far too heavy to carry. Southern pieces mostly, but a few things stamped with the colonies marks. My friend said they had a clerk count every piece into a book when they took it. He shook his head. Probably killed him too.

Renard could see why the man was drinking so much. Probably he knew what was coming for him. Probably he thought he might as well see out his last days blind drunk.

Well, he said, as stories go, it needs a little work. For a better ending, we really need a cunning but handsome thief to sweep in and take it all from under his lordships nose.

Ah, now that would be a thing, the sailor said. But that dont happen in real life. Thieves mostly rob other poor folk, who cant fight back, not rich bastards who can hire guards.

True enough, Renard said. Still, its a nice thought. Same again?

Sure, the sailor said.

Renard found himself wondering if he should keep going with this. Was this something he wanted to push forward with? Did he want to risk annoying Yselle more than usual with this? His purse gave him the answer to that. He needed the coin.

Renard stood and went toward the bar. Yselle was there, and Renard couldnt decide if she was in one of the moods where she cared about his existence or not.

Youre doing a lot of talking to that sailor, she observed.

Well, Im a very friendly person, Renard pointed out, with his most charming smile.

Oh, stop that, you think I dont know when youre lying to me? Yselle said.

Would I lie to one so beautiful? Renard asked.

Almost constantly, the barmaid retorted. Its just as well youre pretty, or Id have thrown you out on your ear months ago.

Pretty? Renard affected wounded pride. I am dashing, and handsome, but not

Pretty, Yselle said firmly. Pretty as a maiden, though we both know youre not that. Now, did you want something?

Tell me about Lord Carrick, Renard said.

Yselle shrugged. Whats to tell? You know all the stories, probably better than I do with that lute of yours. You know that hes hard on the peasants, takes his share and more of their crops, and hangs any who complain. You know he has more serfs than most, and treats them worse. What else do you want?

Renard considered. Someone who knows the layout of his home would be useful.

Yselle frowned at that. No, Renard. That would be stupid.

Not knowing the layout would be stupid, Renard countered. This is just being prepared.

You know what I mean, Yselle said. Doing what youre thinking of doing would be a special kind of stupid, even by your standards.