“I owe you my life,” says Nez, shivering.

“I’ve already got it.” Luck rubs the pain out of his arms. “Thanks anyway.”

Nez thinks he understands. “I’m your man then,” he says. “Your bondsman, your loyal servant–”

“I don’t think you take my point,” says Luck coldly. “Every murder costs a life. A certain man killed; he’ll die to pay for it. My killing him, in turn, will cost the life I just saved. Now go away.”

Luck walks. Nez stands and stares. Blot breaks away and scurries back to him.

“Plus,” she says, “you owe me five knots for helping.”