"Perhaps the master could come more quickly," said Rishi.

"I'm coming as fast as I can!" Atreus's gaze dropped back to the plank, and he began to grow dizzy as he contemplated the distance between his feet and the ground. "This isn't as easy as it looks!"

"The master is to be extolled for his remarkable balance," said Rishi. "But Her Radiance's men are proving most persistent."

Atreus took a deep breath, then rushed ahead three quick steps. The plank jumped like a quarterdeck on a stormy sea, and his fourth step found the board coming up when his foot expected it to be going down. He stumbled forward and fell to one knee, slamming the heavy basket down in front of him.

The plank bucked so hard that the end bounced completely off the sill and came down an inch closer to the edge. Atreus squeezed his eyelids shut and did not move, afraid of what would happen if he allowed himself to look a; the alley below.

"Come back here, you ugly devil!" growled an angry voice behind him. "The queen's executioner will be wanting a word with you."

A rasping noise sounded ahead, and Atreus felt the board moving backward. He opened his eyes again and saw the end of the plank slowly scraping toward the edge of the windowsill.

Rishi thrust out his arms. "Give me the basket!"

"So you can run off with it?"

Atreus crawled forward, pushing the basket ahead of him. The board jerked beneath his knees, and the end slipped to within two fingers of the window's edge.

"Have I not earned your trust by now?" Rishi continued to reach for the basket. "I am only trying to help!"

"If you want to help, grab the board!" Atreus commanded.

"But I am only a Mar," Rishi whined. Despite his objection, lie grabbed the plank with both hands. "I am no match for the strength of the Ffolk!"