"You," the Sergeant said, after he had strolled up to within arms-reach, "are a lying piece of criminal filth."

"Valid point," Cullan conceeded, backing up slowly for the first time.

"We get to keep the loot?" Cullan asked, half under his breath.

"I assume that that is the normal arrangement for people such as yourselves on missions such as this?"

"Technically, there's not a lot you can do about it, so, yes."

"Now: You will oblige me with your names, and your business."

Cullan raised his hand. "Er, question?"

The man narrowed his eyes and glared at him. "If it is sensible."

"I hope you're not getting carried away there," he said.

"We might be," Cullan answered, reluctantly letting Alys go.

"It's not like it was unpleasant, certainly," she added, handing Cullan back his coins, and bending down to feel for her shirt.

"Okay - has anyone got any ideas how we check up there?"

"Climb up and look?"

"I'd rather hoped that would be bottom of the list," Cullan replied.

"We must do something," Kenyon said, sitting up.

Cullan hauled him back down. "Yes, we can rest and regain some strength. Then we can think about making a break for it."

"You appear to have Abner's sigil on the wall," he said. "Which eyeball don't you need?"