"Rolant and Vara were never close, but Kaleb... Rolant never treated him as family, and Kaleb hates him for it. By this point I think it's mutual. Also, he left the city last week, so that horse is out of the barn. And we can't find her."

"'We can't'? Who's 'we'?"

"The Crownwatch...this is the part Rolant really didn't want to mention, so please don't share it. You've probably heard of Marshal Ironthorn? He was sent out to find her two weeks ago, and five days after that he sent a message saying he thought he'd tracked her down and would be on his way back to Argenport with her soon. We haven't heard from him since.

If you won't do it, we're out of options that might actually work."

"Ah. Ironthorn's competent, and not one to exaggerate. So...

You're worried about a friend and liege, and about a colleague."

"You don't get his reputation without knowing the risks. I'll mourn, but it's not him I worry for.

Look, I know you don't like it. You'd probably rather skip town, and I don't blame you. But if she's not found, I don't think the rebels can be dissuaded from an ugly siege on Argenport. Rolant barely backed down from the power of all the mountain clans together; he won't give in.

So please: try. I love this city and I couldn't bear to see it starve like that."

If she was just that pretty, or just that sincere, maybe I would have turned her down. But she was both, and I couldn't resist.

"Alright, ma'am. I'll do my best."

"Thank you. And if you need a favor some time, I'll be listening."

Her look of relief almost made it feel worth it to me, too.