The Hawkwinter's eyes opened wide, and for a moment he looked ready to dispute Starragar's words. Then a puzzled expression crossed his face. He closed his mouth without saying a word and settled back into his seat. Though his eyes closed again, Naoni doubted very much he sought slumber.

She pushed aside sudden dismay. Lark was a sensible girl, too proud to dally with the likes of Lord Taeros. On the other hand, the man's tart wit was like enough to hers that they might…

No, surely not. Even if Lark were interested, Korvaun would remind his friend to observe propriety. If ever a man could be trusted in such matters, Naoni mused, 'twas he.

Or could he?

A small sigh escaped her. She'd been reared believing no man raised with a noble's sense of entitlement could be trusted in such matters. It was a conviction too deeply and painfully engraved to lightly abandon.

The carriage stopped by the Dyres' door. Naoni accepted Korvaun's hand to alight then counted out coins to the carriageman. It seemed she'd reckoned fare and gratuity correctly; he tipped his cap in thanks before shaking the reins and rumbling away.

The front door opened before Naoni reached its latch, to reveal Varandros Dyre wearing an expression that brought to mind a gathering storm.

"Where've you been? I was about to call the Watch and report you missing!"

"Just tending to errands, Father," Naoni replied soothingly.

She waved at the men behind her. "Lord Helmfast's here to speak with you… to ask you to release him, and his friends, from their promise to keep clear of the women of your household."

"Why?"

Varandros Dyre launched that word like a war-arrow, leaving Naoni blinking in sudden realization that she had no words to answer him.

These men have offered to help us spy on your New Day activities, Father, was fairly accurate, but hardly likely to sway him. These young nobles desire to make common cause with you, in working to unmask the Lords… No. The first, approving reaction of Taeros Hawkwinter to this notion was too flimsy a foundation for that-and her father would never believe it.

Help came from a most unexpected quarter. "It's been pointed out to me," Taeros Hawkwinter said dryly, casting a glance at Starragar, "that I may have some interest in your maidservant."

Dyre glared. "The girl suits us fine and is not for hire!"

Faendra giggled. "Father, you're not that old, to have forgotten how matters of the h… ah, such things go."

The guildmaster flushed, redness swiftly darkening to the deep, mottled blood-red of fury. "If you're even thinking of debauching my servant-"

"I assure you, goodsir, I'd not insult that woman if I were in full plate and defended by the City Guard's griffonback lancers!" Taeros declared fervently.

Puzzlement chased ire from the guildmaster's face, and he passed a hand over his forehead. "I'm in no mind for puzzles just now, young lord."

The deep weariness in his voice smote Naoni's heart. "What is it, Father?" she asked softly.

He turned tired eyes on her. "We've another death, lass. Jivin was found in an alley with a warning carved into his hide." He looked at Taeros with more worry than anger on his face. "You might have need of armor and lancers if you plan to keep company with my lasses."

Korvaun said quietly, "Some might hear a threat in those words, sir, but I doubt that's your intent."

"No," Dyre said simply, ere turning back to Naoni. "I bade Jivin watch over you lasses, as he was quick on his feet and knew the streets. They killed him to warn me off, that's plain enough, but 'twas me who sent him to his doom."

Naoni heard Faendra's quick gasp and whirled around. Faen's eyes were wide, and the hand she held over her mouth trembled. Naoni reached for her sister's other hand. The small, suddenly cold fingers curled tightly around hers.

Starragar Jardeth lifted a hand. "The warning: What was it, exactly?"

Every face turned to him, incredulously.

"I mean no disrespect," the dark-cloaked lordling told them, "but if I'd seen someone in my employ so served, I'd not be of a mind to see past the outrage. One who stands apart may see clearly, and the precise wording may shed light on the intent-and the murderer."

Varandros Dyre stared at the young noble in silence for an uncomfortably long time before muttering, "Well said."

It was even longer ere he added, "Thorass, 'twas: 'The Wages of Curiosity.' I've been asking questions of late-never mind what about. Someone's warning me off."

"Perhaps we're not so far removed from this matter as Lord Jardeth suggests," Korvaun said slowly. "You should know, Master Dyre, that we've been seeking answers about the fallen buildings. A friend of ours died in the collapse of the festhall, he whose dagger you found. A good man, who shouldn't be judged by that one day's mischief at Redcloak Lane."

"So say you," observed Dyre, something also like sympathy in his tone, "and so you should say. Even if that foolishness told young Kothort's true measure, men should stand by their friends."

"We are agreed on that, and perhaps in other matters, as well," Korvaun said carefully. "These mysteriously fallen buildings may touch on matters that concern us both. If this is so, release us from our promise, and our swords are yours to command."

The stonemason blinked, staring at the young noblemen as if he'd never seen them before.

"I… I'll think on it," he said curtly. Giving them an abrupt nod, he pointed at his daughters and then imperiously at his open door, and strode off down the street.

Faendra whirled to face Naoni. "Jivin was following us!"

"Yes, Father just said so," Naoni agreed, puzzled by the fear in her sister's eyes.

"Lark… Lark told me not to worry about the man following us. She said he was being dealt with. Being dealt with! I never thought-"

"Nor should you," Naoni said firmly, ignoring the sick, sinking feeling in her own stomach. "We've known Lark nearly a year, and she's as reliable as the tides."

"Perhaps Mistress Faendra has cause for concern," said Starragar gravely, his eyes on Taeros. "You were wearing a silver medallion this morn, were you not?"

Taeros's hand flew to his throat. "It's gone! Blast it!"

"I saw you wearing it when you got up to leave the club-before the lass so tartly insisted on helping you with your cloak. I just noticed its absence now."

Naoni frowned. "That could be mere happenstance. Perhaps it fell off in the carriage?"

Starragar shook his head. "I was last to alight, and I always look about for items that might have been left behind. As for happenstance, is it also happenstance that your servant's been seen with Elaith Craulnober, the owner of those two fallen buildings?"

"Nine happy Hells," Taeros murmured softly. "The elf I hired to watch Lark hasn't reported back. I wonder if she's…"

"We'll look into it," Korvaun said briskly. "Mistress Naoni, where might Lark be now?"

"She implied she was returning here to tend to chores, but Father's worry rather gives the lie to that."

"Lark stayed behind to talk to Beldar," Faendra said confidently. "I looked back as our carriage pulled away, and neither had come down the stairs."

The nobles exchanged worried glances.

Naoni peered from one to another. "What? What is it?"

"Beldar hasn't… been himself of late," Korvaun told her. "I'd put it down to grief about Malark. Much as I hate to admit it, we may have another worry in common."

Beldar glanced back at Lark. "Take care. The steps are damp and slippery."

She put her hand on the mossy wall, her face ghostly green in the faint lichen-glow. Beldar took some satisfaction in her tense expression. Clearly, the wench had no fondness for tunnels and close places, or perhaps she was reconsidering the wisdom of blackmail, though she should hardly have expected a sordid transaction to be free of discomfort.