They were going to be very late to the Bang-Tankard inn. For an instant he thought to argue, but a'Seatt's hard gaze made him quickly reconsider. He nodded again.

"Come on," he grumbled, and pushed past Jeremy for the door. "We'll have to hurry."

He was already trotting the wet cobblestones by the time he heard Jeremy close the shop door.

"Wait up," Jeremy called.

Elias had no more patience. When he came to the first side street, he skidded to a stop. Only then did Jeremy catch up. Elias could barely make out the crossing alleyway at the side street's end.

"No, you don't," Jeremy warned.

"It'll be faster," Elias countered. "We can cut through to Galloway Street, then the main alley behind the northwest market, and out to Switchin Way."

"No!" Jeremy snapped. "We're supposed to stick to the main streets, where it's well lit."

"Damn you, I'm not missing the whole evening. Elvina's only—"

"Elvina this, Elvina that… Blessed ink and sand! Are you going to let that girl run your life?"

Elias stammered for a few breaths. "Well, at least I have someone I'm leaving behind when we finally get our assignments!"

Jeremy flinched as if slapped, and his face clouded over.

"Fine!" he growled. "Go bumble around in the dark. I'm not slipping and sliding on chamber pot leavings in some alley. Not for some girl… when you don't even know her name!"

Elias slumped, the folio dragging down in his arms.

Jeremy had never been any good at holding a girl's… a woman's attention—not counting Imaret. Either tongue-tied or babbling about whatever he was currently studying, he was lucky if any companion lasted through a whole meal. But Elias wished he could take back the low blow he'd struck his friend.

Someone moved beneath a shop awning down the way. The indistinct figure halted and seemed to be looking their way.