Raven frowned. He knew what I was hinting, but couldnt make sense of it. His not being old line Company left a communications gap.

Put it this way, I said. Me and Silent figure youre going down as killed in action. Both of you. Nobody needs to know any different. But, you know, its like youre running away from home. Even if we wish you well, we maybe feel a little hurt an account of the way you do it. You were voted into the Company. You went through hell with us. You.... Look what you and me went through together. And you treat us like shit. That dont go down too well.

It sank in. He said, Sometimes something comes up

thats so important you cant tell your best friends. Could get you all killed.

Figured that was it. Hey! Take it easy.

Silent had dismounted and begun an exchange with Darling. She seemed oblivious to the strain between her friends. She was telling Silent what they had done and where they were headed.

Think thats smart? I asked. Opal? Couple things you should know, then. One, the Lady won. Guess you figured that. Saw it coming, or you wouldnt have pulled out. Okay. More important. The Limper is back. She didnt do him in. She shaped him up and hes her number one boy now.

Raven turned pale. It was the first I could recall seeing him truly frightened. But his fear was not for himself. He considered himself a walking dead man, a man with nothing to lose. But now he had Darling, and a cause. He had to stay alive.

Yeah. The Limper. Me and Silent went over this a lot. Actually, this had occurred to me only a moment earlier. I felt it would go better if he thought some considered deliberation had gone into it. We figure the Lady will catch on sooner or later. Shell want to make a move. If she connects you, youll have the Limper on your trail. He knows you. Hed start looking in your old stomping grounds, figuring youd get in touch with old friends. You got any friends who could hide you from the Limper?

Raven sighed, seemed to lose stature. He put his steel away. That was my plan. Thought wed cross to Beryl and hide out there.

Beryl is technically only the Ladys ally, but her word is law there. Youve got to go somewhere where theyve never heard of her.

Where?

This isnt my part of the world. He seemed calm enough now, so I dismounted. He eyed me warily, then relaxed. I said, I pretty much know what I came to find out. Silent?

Silent nodded, continued his conversation with Darling.

I took the money bag from my bedroll, tossed it to Raven. You left your share of the Roses take. I brought the spare horses up. You could travel faster if you were riding.