It has left you waiting to die, the one in the twisted mask said, his voice harsh, even guttural. His mask turned toward the one who wore the blank one. Why seek a thief who has been caught?

The blank faced one did not reply, but turned back to Renard. Would you like to be free?

Free. The word caught Renards attention, mostly because of the alternatives.

And you could set me free? he asked.

We are here, arent we? the blank-faced one said. We walked in, and we could walk out again, with you. For a price.

Of course there would be a price. People like this didnt do anything for free. From what Renard had heard, they had all paid their own prices, to things beyond the twisting and turning of reality. What would they demand? Renard decided that another question was safer.

What do you need stolen?

They stared at him. At least, Renard assumed that they did. With the masks, it was hard to tell.

Youve walked into a castle owned by a powerful lord with a reputation for cruelty, Renard said. Youre offering to let me go. Now, either you really appreciate my lute playing, or…

Or we need a master thief, the leader said, his blank mask providing no hint of his emotions. Yes, we do.

All right, Renard said. Lets start with this: do you three have names?

The one in the blank mask hesitated, but then seemed to relent. I am known as Void, and these are Verdant and Wrath. Our former names were given away. Such things have power.

Renard was sure that they had all the power they could ever need. Hed heard about the Hidden.

If you can walk in here, Renard said, why do you need me?

Void stood there, looking from one to the other of his companions, as if trying to decide how much to say.

To walk into a place of men is easy, he said. But the object we require for our… research is in a more difficult location.

What object, and where? Renard asked. He said it reflexively, the way he might have with anyone who wanted him to steal for them. The fact that he was still in chains made no difference to that.

Does it matter to you? the one in the twisted flesh mask demanded.

But Void shrugged. There is an amulet, locked away in a mausoleum above a volcano, protected in ways that suit your… skills. That amulet is said to give those who wear it power over dragons.

Dragons! Renard said with a laugh, because who had seen dragons in years? You must be joking. Is that what this is? Lord Carricks idea of a…