1:18

Maybe you don’t like the idea of them plotting without you. Maybe you just don’t want to be left alone. There’s ghosts about, you know? Safety in numbers. In any case, you haul yourself to your feet, disguising your wobbly legs as best you can, and give a lazy salute.

Aye aye captain. Lead the way.

The wind tugs gently at your hair as you step back out into the road. Your skin prickles with sweat. You can still smell the distant flowers. Kaliff has his rifle to his shoulder, aiming it around every corner. He’s acting like it’s hostile territory. Luce doesn’t care. She’s striding off ahead. You have to half jog to keep up.

She hears you coming. She doesn’t turn around. You still got the money? she asks. You got my half of the loot?

Of course you don’t. You spent it. You spend everything. Your takings barely have time to touch the sides of your bank account before they’re gone. You thought she was dead, but you aren’t sure that’s what she needs to hear.

No, you say. I don’t. She snorts. It sounds like amusement, but you can’t see her face.

Fair enough, she says. Hope you enjoyed it.

You’ve known Luce a long time. She has many positive traits, but magnanimity was never among them. You keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. She keeps walking. You hurry to keep up again.

What do you need to pick up?

Some sentimental things.