One-Eye levered himself off the floor, looked around. I dont think he was seeing with the eye he had. Sright. He scowled at me. Bassard. All bassard. Something struck him funny. He giggled.

Goblin joined him. When Raven and I did not get the joke, he put on a very dignified face and said, Not our kind in here, old buddy. Warmer out in the snow. He helped One-Eye stand. They staggered out the door.

Hope they dont do anything stupid. More stupid. Like show off. Theyll kill themselves.

Tonk, Raven said. He spread his cards. Those two might not have come in for all the response he showed.

Ten or fifty hands later one of the soldiers we had brought burst in. You seen Elmo? he demanded.

I glanced at him. Snow was melting in his hair. He was pale, scared. No. What happened, Hagop?

Somebody stabbed Otto. I think it was Raker. I run him off.

Stabbed? He dead? I started looking for my kit. Otto would need me more than he would need Elmo.

No. Hes cut bad. Lot of blood.

Why didnt you bring him?

Couldnt carry him.

He was drunk too. The attack on his friend had sobered him some, but that would not last. You sure it was Raker? Was the old fool trying to hit back?

Sure. Hey, Croaker. Come on. Hes gonna die.

Tm coming. Im coming.

Wait. Raven was pawing through his gear. Im going. He balanced a pair of finely-honed knives, debating a choice. He shrugged, stuck both inside his belt. Get yourself a cloak, Croaker. Its cold out there.

While I found one he grilled Hagop about Ottos whereabouts, told him to stay put till Elmo showed. Then, Lets go. Croaker.

Down the stairs. Into the streets. Ravens walk is deceptive. He never seems hurried, but you have to hustle to stay up.

Snowing was not the half of it. Even where the streets were lighted you could not see twenty feet. It was. six inches deep already. Heavy, wet stuff. But the temperature was falling, and a wind was coming up. Another blizzard? Damn! Hadnt we had enough?

We found Otto a quarter block from where he was supposed to be. He had dragged himself under some steps. Raven went right to him. How he knew where to look I will never know. We carried Otto to the nearest light. He could not help himself. He was out.

I snorted. Dead drunk. Only danger was freezing to death. He had blood all over him but his wound was not bad. Needed some stitches, that is all. We lugged him back to the room. I stripped him and got sewing while he was in no shape to bitch.

Ottos sidekick was asleep. Raven kicked him till he woke up. I want the truth, Raven said. How did it happen?

Hagop told it, insisting, It was Raker, man. It was Raker.