Alone with her thoughts and those of her relations, she stood in the Saint Asne chartroom. Jean-Claude’s hat lay on the flat top of the orrery. Saints, but she missed him so hard she wanted to weep.

There came a rap at the doorframe and Bitterlich strolled in. “Good evening, Capitaine.”

Isabelle found herself smiling behind her cowl. “Ah, Major, why aren’t you out celebrating?”

“Because it is loud, and because the person I’d rather spend time with is here.” Bitterlich’s golden eyes smiled at Isabelle’s in their smug feline way. She much preferred seeing him primly self-satisfied than moping about.

He is a toy, whispered Lissa. A pleasant diversion. Enjoy yourself, but remember that a house is only as strong as its weakest pillar.

Isabelle stirred the courtesan’s reflection and dispersed her into her brain’s baggage car. She’d sooner trust her heart to loyalty and honesty than wealth or power.

He betrayed your trust once, Primus put in. A broken sword may be mended, but it will always snap again.

Isabelle made to banish his manifestation, but he retreated before she could dispel him. Leaving on his own terms: a master tactician indeed.

“Where is Rebecca?” Isabelle asked.

“Passed out in her rack after picking half the pockets in Flotsam, and packing her guts like a pickle barrel.”

“You let her pick pockets?” Isabelle said, appalled. “What if she’d been caught?”

“She’d have to give up her sack to whoever caught her, and start over. All Gyrine children are taught to pick pockets, and to practice on their fellows. They aren’t allowed to rob shops or merchants in Flotsam, but anyone on the planks is fair game. It’s expected.”

“And how did you find all that out?” Isabelle said.

“From the urchin who tried to rob me,” Bitterlich said. “I sought out independent confirmation after his preliminary testimony. It really helps to know what questions to ask. Once Rebecca was apprised of the rules of engagement, she cut a swath through the festivities.”

Isabelle shook her head in dismay. “Just when I thought this place couldn’t get any stranger. Dare I ask how much Rebecca absconded with?”

“In value or weight? She clinked all the way back to her rack, I’m going to make her spend most of it tomorrow.”

“Are you sure that’s the kind of lesson you want to be teaching her, though?”

Bitterlich said, “She didn’t stop being an impulsive twelve-year-old pickpocket just because we found out she’s my daughter. More to the point, she did behave herself. She waited until she learned the rules of the game before joining in, and picking pockets is a useful skill.”