Oh, that was all they needed—to have the local constabulary set on them for disturbing the peace with all their shouting in the street.

"Just this once, trust me," Elias urged. "It'll be worth it; you'll see."

Jeremy didn't answer.

"We'll stop at the inn on the way back," Elias offered. "You can wait with Elvina and her friend… and I'll go give Master a'Seatt his damn confirmation."

"Fine," Jeremy mumbled.

Elias turned into the side way, but he glanced once down the main street.

Whoever had been standing outside that one shop was gone. Hopefully the constable had simply moved on. But the sooner he and Jeremy were away from here, the less likely they'd have to deal with another on patrol. At the side street's end, he turned southeast into the alley. And Jeremy followed, muttering the whole way.

"Stay clear of the center gutter," Elias advised, "and keep your robe up. You won't have time to change if it gets soiled."

"Yes, yes," Jeremy grumbled.

They made their way past the back doors of shops, around crates and ash cans and less identifiable shapes in the dark space. Three side alleys passed by before Elias heard a sharp snap of cloth. Jeremy had stumbled again, and he paused.

Jeremy came up short to keep from running into him. Elias could barely make out his friend's face.

"What?" Jeremy asked.

"Nothing," Elias uttered. "I thought you slipped."

"I'm fine!"

Ready to press on, Elias started to turn, but Jeremy back-stepped, his eyes popping wide.

"What was that?" he whispered.

Elias froze, staring at him. "What are you talking about?"

"Ahead," Jeremy whispered, "between us and the light of the far street… something crossed."

Elias looked down the alley. At the far exit into Galloway Street, a lantern around the corner spilled light across the opening. But he saw nothing more.