That bitch was as tough as her reputation. Woozy as she was, she was trying to get up, trying to draw her sword, trying to mouth a spell. I scrambled her brains again, got rid of her blade. I didnt bring any cord, I gasped. You bring any cord, Raven?

No. He just stood there staring at the Limper. The Takens battered leather mask had slipped sideways. He was trying to straighten it so he could see who we were.

How the hell am I going to tie her up?

Better worry about gagging her first. Raven helped the Limper with his mask, smiling that incredibly cruel smile he gets when he is about to cut a special throat.

I yanked out my knife and hacked at Whispers clothing. She fought me. I had to keep knocking her down. Finally, I had strips of rag to bind her and to stuff into her mouth. I dragged her over to the pile of stones, propped her up, turned to see what Raven was doing.

He had ripped the Limpers mask away, exposing the desolation of the Takens face.

What are you doing? I asked. He was binding the Limper. I wondered why he was bothering.

Got to thinking maybe I dont have the talent to handle this. He dropped into a squat and patted the Limpers cheek. The Limper radiated hatred. You know me, Croaker. Im an old softy. Id just kill him and be satisfied. But he deserves a harder death. Catcher has more experience in these things. He chuckled wickedly.

The Limper strained against his bonds. Despite the three arrows, he seemed normally strong. Even vigorous. The shafts certainly did not inconvenience him.

Raven patted his cheek again. Hey, old buddy. Word of warning, one friend to another.... Wasnt that what you told me about an hour before Morningstar and her friends ambushed me in that place you sent me? Word of warning? Yeah. Look out for Soulcatcher. He got a hold of your true name. Character like that, theres no telling what he might do.

I said, Take it easy on the gloating, Raven. Watch him. Hes doing something with his fingers. He was wriggling them rhythmically.

Aye! Raven shouted, laughing. He grabbed the sword I had taken from Whisper and chopped fingers off each of the Limpers hands.

Raven rides me for not telling the whole truth in these Annals. Someday maybe he will look at this and be sorry. But, honestly, he was not nice people that day.

I had a similar problem with Whisper. I chose a different solution. I cut off her hair and used it to tangle her fingers together.