Marcus could hear Andy laughing, high and a little mad. Raesinia pulled herself forward and down onto the box, flopping gracelessly into a heap beside the wounded Uhlan. She scrambled to right herself and got hold of the reins.

“Now what?” she said.

“Stop us!” Marcus shouted back.

“How?”

“I—” Marcus was astonished to find that he had no idea. Horses and vehicles had never been his strong suit.

“Brake,” Uhlan gasped. “Between us. Then pull the reins.”

Raesinia yanked up on a metal lever, and the carriage’s axle started screaming like a banshee. She hauled back on the reins, shouting unintelligibly at the horses. The sudden loss of speed left them weaving drunkenly across the street, and for a horrible moment Marcus thought they were going to tip. Then, with a final lurch, the carriage came to a halt just short of the Dregs, where curious pedestrians gathered to stare. A burned-metal smell was everywhere, and when Marcus looked back he could see trails of smoke rising from the back wheels.

Marcus let go of the strap, dropped into the street, and fell over when his legs refused to support him. He heard footsteps, and a moment later Andy appeared, holding out her hand to help him up.

“That was quite a ride,” she said. “Are you all right?”

He nodded, brushing himself off, and went to Uhlan. The lieutenant gave him a tight smile, teeth gritted.

“Not too bad, sir. Gone straight through, I think.”

“Mrs. Felda will know someone who can help,” Marcus said. “We’ll get a bandage on it for now.”

“Better hurry,” Andy said. “They’ll be after us.”

A scream, from farther up the street, told Marcus that someone had discovered the body of the driver.

“Here.” Marcus took Uhlan’s arm, and he and Andy helped the wounded Mierantai down. “Do you think your women can tie a bandage?”

“Of course.”

With a certain amount of squeezing, they managed to get the lieutenant in among the servants, who showed no sign of fainting at the sight of blood. Marcus climbed up on the box beside Raesinia, and Andy resumed her place at the door. Gingerly, Marcus released the brake and took the reins himself. Fortunately, the horses were well trained, and didn’t seem to require much handling.

“We’ll take the Old Ford,” Marcus said as they trotted down the Dregs at a more sane speed, leaving gaping men and women in their wake. “Then we’re going to have to ditch the carriage. Andy, you said you had something in mind?”

“Yes,” Andy said. “I know a few people.”

“What then?” Raesinia said.

Marcus looked down at her. She’d been holding her hands over her face, and now she let them fall to show that there was quite a bit of blood on her cheek and temple. Only small cuts remained, though, and as Marcus watched, they closed up and vanished as though they’d never been. Raesinia wiped the blood on her sleeve and waggled her eyebrows conspiratorially.