“But not unexpected for Trina?”

“I would never seriously imply such a thing,” he said. “And I don’t associate with her enough to know what she would do. But she’s said to offer her location services for money, without much in the way of scruples.”

“Scruples?” said Giddon, who didn’t know the Keepish word.

“Ethical considerations,” said Arni. “And I’m afraid that whenever something goes missing, people talk of her. You’ll think us terribly rude, even backward. We’re unaccustomed to Gracelings, you see.”

“Gracelings are accustomed to backward attitudes,” said Hava. She spoke without apparent offense, but also without sympathy, and Arni didn’t seem to know how to respond. It was interesting, Giddon thought, to watch his discomfiture at standing in the truth of his own discourtesy. Hava, of course, showed no discomfiture whatsoever.

“Do many things go missing in Ledra?” asked Giddon.

Arni seemed grateful for the distraction of the question. “Not from my bank, I can promise you. But a few friends have misplaced important objects in their homes recently.”

“If you tell us what they are,” said Hava, “we’ll keep an eye out for them.”

“They aren’t objects you’re likely to stumble across,” he said, with perfect equanimity. “Now, do you know your way around the Keep?”

“We do, thank you,” said Giddon, who knew nothing about the Keep aside from what he could see as he looked up at it from the bottom of the steps.

“Then I’ll leave you to it,” said Arni. “I hope you’ll let me know if your business in Monsea, or perhaps with that Council of yours, ever puts you in need of a foreign bank.” He smiled at Giddon’s carefully blank face. “We have privacy laws here that often surprise and delight foreigners, especially those with secrets. I’ll go find my son now. Good day to you.”

And he was off, gliding along a path that led down into the academy campus.

“He just offered to help us manage the funding for any illegal activities we’re a part of,” Giddon said, relieved to return to Lingian. Speaking Keepish was tiring. “You did hear that, didn’t you?”

“Whatever,” said Hava. “How many foxes do you see watching us?”

“None,” said Giddon, whose mind was still consumed with Arni’s outrageous offer. “How much do you think he knows about the Council? I’m not surprised he’s heard of it, but don’t you think he implied greater knowledge? Is it a bluff?”

“I’m sure Winterkeep has spies on the Royal Continent. Do you see the teeny little doors set into the big doors of the Keep? Do you think foxes can go wherever they want?”