“No, no,” said Orso. “Most comfortable fetters I’ve worn, and I’ve tried on quite a few lately.” He took one last look at Rikke, sitting there in the sunlight, at the head of the table. He would have liked more time with

her. But he supposed it had never been very realistic. “Peace between the North and the Union.” He gave a little chuckle. “Honestly, it’s a far better legacy than anyone expected from me.” And he strolled jauntily out into the hall.

Well, as jauntily as you can in chains.

Which isn’t very.

Answers

Vick threw the door shut and it banged from the frame, wobbled back open a crack. She didn’t even bother to close it.

Never stay in a place you can’t walk straight out of without a backward glance.

She strode down the hall to the dining room, yanked open the narrow cupboard, ripped out the false bottom and pulled up the bag, slung it over her shoulder. She stopped beside the table, looking at the few books stacked on the windowsill.

Never own a thing you can’t leave behind.

She dropped the bag, knocking over a couple of pieces from the squares board, grabbed that old copy of The Life of Dab Sweet and tossed it inside.

Never make a friend you can’t turn your back on. A life that leaves no marks.

She paused a moment, teeth gritted.

“Fuck,” she hissed.

Tallow peered around the door, looking shocked to see her. Probably he didn’t get many visitors. Certainly not at night. And since the Great Change, who enjoyed a knock at the door they weren’t expecting?

“They caught Orso,” she said, pushing past him.

“What?”

“He was hiding in the Gloktas’ old house, of all places, with bloody Black Rikke.” She went to the lamp and blew it out, sinking the room into darkness. “She gave him up.”

Tallow looked sadly into a corner. “Guess you can’t trust anyone.”

“The Lord Regent has him…” She sidled to the window and peered down into the darkened streets. “Somewhere in the city.”

“What’s that got to do with us?”

“It won’t be long until they find out I helped him escape.”

Tallow stared. “You helped him… what? I thought we were supposed to stand with the winners—”

“I’m in danger, Tallow, and that means all my friends are in danger. Luckily, I don’t have any friends.”

“I’m probably the closest thing.”

“Exactly.” She flicked the shabby curtains closed. “Which is why you have to come with me.”

“I what? Where?”

“Still working out the details. The main thing is, not here. Believe me, I’m less than delighted about it myself.”

“What about my sister?”

Vick winced. The question she’d always known was coming.

“I can’t leave her,” he said, voice getting higher and higher, more and more panicked. “I mean, she won’t get by on her own, I can’t go without her, I—”

“Fine!” snapped Vick. “We’ll get her next. But we travel light, you understand?”