The other mans cloaked shoulders moved up and down in a shrug. That does not matter. You have been given to us now, in law. If you try to run, we will hunt you. If you fight us, we will do things to you that will make children weep when their mothers tell them of it.

The worst part was that there was no drama in the way he said those words. They were as cold and even as a grave slab.

You could have come with us before, Verdant said. There would have been such rewards.

And we would not have had to call in a promise made to us, Void said.

Renard tried to think of a good way out of this. There was none.

If you try to fight, I will hurt you, Wrath said.

And I will find the one you looked at so sweetly as they dragged you out, Verdant promised. Well hurt her too.

You

Void held up a hand and the silence was like a club, stopping them all.

Enough of this, he said. We have what we came for. Renard the thief, you will come with us, as you were always going to come with us.

Youre claiming it is fate, now? he asked.

The Hiddens leader made a papery sound. It took Renard a second to recognize it as a laugh.

It is simply the will of the Hidden. We get what we want, thief. Now come; you have an item to procure for us.

Renard went. As he did, he glanced back to Lord Carrick, wondering if it was too late to ask him to execute him anyway. It would probably be a lot quicker than everything his new companions had planned for him.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Vars was waiting when the army returned to Royalsport. He stood atop the castles battlements, looking out in fear, knowing that when his father and his brother returned, he was going to face their full wrath for what he had done. For what he had failed to do.

No, I did all I could, he insisted to himself.

Lyril was not there. Vars was surprised by that. In recent weeks, she had been by his side almost constantly, yet now she was gone. He could guess why: the rumors about him coming back alone when he was supposed to be protecting his sister had already started.

When his father got back, he would be disinherited. Vars was sure of it. Below, the city bustled, smoke coming from the chimneys, the streams currently at low tide between Royalsports many islands. Vars stood there until he could see the advance of the soldiers returning, the blocks of the troops moving in concert, the Knights of the Spur shining as they rode in gleaming cohorts. His fear built with every step they took closer, until Vars was sure that the best thing to do was flee, run from the castle and never come back.