“Another last-minute, good-deed job,” Royce grumbled as he stuffedsupplies into his saddlebag.“True,” Hadrian said, slinging his sword belt over his shoulder, “butthis is at least a paying job.”“You should have told him the real reason we saved him from Trumbul—because we wouldn’t see the hundred tenents otherwise.”“That was your reason. Besides, how often do we get to do royal contracts?If word gets around, we’ll be able to command top salaries.”“If word gets around, we’ll be hanged.”

“I need your help.”Royce looked up as if his head weighed a hundred pounds, his eyes red, his face ashen. He waited.“One last job,” Hadrian told him, then added, “I promise.”“Is it dangerous?”“Very.”“Is there a good chance I’ll get killed?”“Odds are definitely in favor of that.”Royce nodded, looked down at the scarf in his lap, and replied, “Okay.”

“There you are!” he shouted at them. “Father has half the castle turnedout looking for you.”“Us?” Hadrian asked.“Yes.” Fanen nodded. “He wants to see the two thieves in his chambersright away.”“You didn’t steal the silver or anything, did you, Royce?” Hadrianasked.“I would bet it has more to do with your flirting with Lenare this afternoonand threatening Mauvin just to show off,” Royce retorted.“That was your fault,” Hadrian said, jabbing his finger at him.”

“Hadrian drew two swords from his sides in a single elegant motion. He flipped one aroundletting it spin against his palm once. “Need to get a new grip on this one. It’s starting to fray again.” He looked at Will. “Shall we get on with this? I believe you were about to rob us.”

“Been meddling, have you?” Royce asked, looking around at the hive of activity.“You must admit they didn’t have much in the way of a defense plan,”Hadrian said, pausing to wipe the sweat from his forehead.Royce smiled at him. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?”

“Wait a minute,” Hadrian said. “Was it a beat-up brown leather notebook?About this big?” He gestured with his hands.“Yes,” the Patriarch said.Arista looked back and forth between them. “How do you know that?”“I know it because I have lived in the Crown Tower,” the Patriarchsaid.“And you?” Arista looked at Hadrian, who hesitated.“Ha-ha! Of course, of course. I knew it!” Cosmos DeLur chuckled andclapped his hands together in single applause while smiling at Hadrian.“Such a wonderfully delightful rumor as that had to be true. That isan exquisite accomplishment.”“You stole it?” Arista asked.“Yes, he did,” the Patriarch declared.“Actually,” Hadrian said, “Royce and I did, but we put it back the next night.”

“Any chance he’s turned a new leaf and taken up sailing for real?”“About as likely as me doing it.”Hadrian eyed Royce for a heartbeat. “I put him at the top of the list.”