But the man only stooped swiftly, and seized one of Skif’s ankles. Kick as hard as he could, Skif could do nothing against the man’s greater strength; at the cost of a bump on the head that made him see stars, he gained nothing and found himself with both ankles trussed and tied to his wrists, which were in turn tied behind his back. Only then did the man take off the gag, taking care not to let his hands get within range to be bitten.

He squatted easily beside Skif, sitting on his heels. “I believe it’s time speech we have, you and I,” he said, frowning. “And it is that I hope for your sake that you aren’t Jass’ errand boy.”

He stared hard at Skif for a long time; Skif worked his jaw silently, and continued to glare at him, although he was beginning to feel a little—odd. As if there was something messing about inside his head.

So if ‘e wants ter talk, why don’t ’e get on wi’ it? he thought furiously. And at that exact moment, the man smiled grimly, and nodded to himself.

“What were you doing here?” the sell-sword asked as soon as Skif’s mouth was clear of the threads the cloth had left on his tongue.

“Sleepin’!” Skif spat, and snarled in impotent fury. If it hadn’t been for this bastard, he’d have found out who Jass’ employer was! He made up his mind not to tell the man one word more than he had to.

“In a cemetery?” The man raised one eyebrow.

Skif found angry words tumbling out of his mouth, despite his resolution not to talk. “Wha’s it matter t’you? Or them? They’s not gonna care—an’ it’s a damn sight cooler an’ quieter here than anywheres else! Them highborns is all playin’ out i’country, they ain’t gonna know ’f I wuz here!”

“You have a point,” the man conceded, then his face hardened again. “But why is it that you just happen sleeping to be in the same place where Jass goes to have a little chat?”

“How shud I know?” Skif all but wailed. “I drops off, next thing I knows, he’s up there yappin’ t’ summun an’ I wanta know who!”

If he’d had his hands free, he’d have clapped both of them over his mouth in horror. His tongue didn’t seem to be under his control—what was happening to him?

“Oh, really?” The man’s other eyebrow arched toward his hairline. “And why is that?”