The dogs converge around the steward in a glorious tangle. Their handler chases after them, yelling for help rounding up the creatures. The steward makes a halfhearted grab at one hound, then seems to decide against it and backs up along the side of the pathway—not a dog lover, I’m guessing. In the midst of it all, Slicewing flies through and plucks the key ring out of the man’s pocket. The steward doesn’t seem to notice the crow at all.

“Hurry,” I mutter, as Slicewing races back toward me. The dog handler’s joined the fray now, shouting apologies as the steward yells accusations back. The hounds start to howl.

Finally Slicewing drops the keys in my hand. There are a few of them on the ring, but I’ve been around long enough now to know that the closet key is the smallest one. I take that one and its neighbor. I give the ring back to Slicewing and the neighboring key to Preener, who’s returned as well, looking quite proud of himself.

“Drop it there. Fast.”

The crows take off one last time and deposit their loot back along the side of the path. By the time all the dogs are rounded up, we are long gone.

Walgash stops me that night on my way into the barracks. “What’s bothering you? You haven’t been yourself.”

I shrug him off. “Mission nerves.”

“You sure? Is it about that healer?”

“It’s nothing.” I push past him to my bunk.

I lie in bed that night, feigning sleep. At least there’s no worry of accidentally dozing off. My nerves are so raw, I doubt even one of Zivah’s sleeping potions would knock me out. The hours tick by. I hear the men from first watch returning and climbing into bed. When there’s nothing but steady breathing and snoring, I slide out of my blankets, grab my weapons and armor, and sneak out.

Slicewing lands on my shoulders as soon as I step outside, while Preener flutters nearby. They probably guessed from my nerves earlier today that I was planning something tonight. I run a quick hand down Slicewing’s back, then shoo her off my shoulder so I can put on my gear. Then I’m on my way, with the crows following silently behind.

There’s not many people out tonight. The few times I run across someone, I simply walk as if I have somewhere to be and no one stops me. Soon I’m back at the storeroom. There’s a nervous moment when the key doesn’t turn, but then the lock gives, and I’m in.