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"Ada Wallace" It coht steal nition across Crance’s face, and he has no choice but to nod "Galt I know Old family, live off Charside Road Brewers by trade" He squints, trying to remember more "Best ale in the Bay Good friends to have"

My heartbeat quickens in hted by the prospect of such luck But it’s tean--knoe’re looking for

"Can’t say I know the Wallace one," he continues "It’s a corin, I can’t tell if he’s lying So I have to push, to keep hiive me an excuse to convince him to do so

"You called yourselves the Mariners?" I ask, careful to keep rin over his shoulder, then lifts a sleeve to reveal a tattoo on his forear rope "Best slers in the Beacon," he says proudly "You want it, we run it"

"And you serve the Guard?"

That question ain There’s a shadow of a nod, but nothing an’s another captain" I quickenon Crance’s heels His shoulders tighten at my closeness, and I don’t miss it when the hairs on the back of his neck raise "And that makes you what? His lieutenant?"

"We don’t bother with titles," he replies, dodgingstarted The others look on, confused by my behavior Kilorn would understand Better yet, he would play along

"Forgive me, Crance" The words come out sickly sweet I sound like a court lady, not a sneak thief, and it rankles him "I’m simply curious about our brothers and sisters in the Bay Tell me, what convinced you to join the cause?"

Hard silence When I look back, Crance’s friends are just as quiet, their eyes alht

"Was it Farley? Were you recruited?" I press on, waiting for son of a break Still he doesn’t respond And a tre us? "Or did you seek the Guard out, like I did? Of course, I had a very good reason I thought Shade was dead, you see, and I wanted vengeance I joined up because I wanted to kill the people who killed , but Crance’s pace quickens I’ve touched on so