Surprised at my own audacity, I asked, Whats the Lady like? I had just finished one of my fantasy sketches.

He turned slowly, stared briefly. Something that will bite steel. His voice was female and catty. An odd answer. Then, Have to keep them from using tools.

So much for getting an eyewitness report. I should have known better. We mortals are mere objects to the Taken. Our curiosities are of supreme indifference. I retreated to my secret kingdom and its spectrum of imaginary Ladies.

Soulcatcher modified the ward sorceries that night. Next morning there were corpses in the square.

One-Eye wakened me the third night. Got a customer.

Hunh?

A guy with a head. He was pleased.

I stumbled to the window. Goblin and Raven were there already. We crowded one side. Nobody wanted to get too close to Soulcatcher.

A man stole across the square below. A head dangled from his left hand. He carried it by its hair. I said, I wondered how long it would be before this started.

Silence, Soulcatcher hissed. Hes out there.

Who?

He was patient. Remarkably patient. Another of the Taken would have struck me down. Raker. Dont give us away.

I do not know how he knew. Maybe I would not want to find out. Those things scare me.

A sneak visit was in the scenario, Goblin whispered, squeaking. How can he squeak when he whispers? Raker has to find out what hes up against. He cant do that from anywhere else. The fat little man seemed proud.

The Captain calls human nature our sharpest blade. Curiosity and a will to survive drew Raker into our cauldron.

Maybe he would turn it on us. We have a lot of handles sticking out ourselves.

Weeks passed. Raker came again and again, apparently content to observe. Soulcatcher told us to let him be, no matter how easy a target he made of himself.

Our mentor might be considerate of us, but he has his cruel streak. It seemed he wanted to torment Raker with the uncertainty of his fate.

This berg is going bounty-crazy, Goblin squealed. He danced one of his jigs. You ought to get out more, Croaker. Theyre turning Raker into an industry. He beckoned me into the corner farthest from Soulcatcher, opened a wallet. Look here, he whispered.

He had a double fistful of coins. Some were gold. I observed, Youre going to be walking tilted to one side.

He grinned. Goblin grinning is a sight to behold. Made this selling tips on where to find Raker, he whispered. With a glance toward Soulcatcher, Bogus tips. He put a hand on my shoulder. He had to stretch up to do it. You can get rich out there.

I didnt know we were in this to get rich.

He scowled, his round, pale face becoming all wrinkles. What are you? Some kind of?...

Soulcatcher turned. Goblin croaked, Just an argument about a bet, sir. Just a bet.