Page 52 of The Robin on the Oak Throne

Kierse turned her face to Niamh. “Even when he was young?”

“Especially so,” she said. “Now quiet and let me finish.”

It took another hour before Niamh agreed that Kierse could get up and move around. She felt nearly 100 percent better. Still stiff, and she wasn’t going to be performing any big swinging motions anytime soon, but much better than she had been. Niamh looked a little worse for wear, as if it had taken a lot out of her. Kierse wanted to ask, but Niamh went into the kitchen to scrounge for something to replenish her.

Kierse found Graves and Vale seated at a card table. Graves was engrossed in a book, clearly recharging his magic. Vale, meanwhile, looked like a medieval cosplayer. He had dark, shoulder-length hair and nearly black eyes in a pale face with a full beard and mustache, and he was wearing dark, fitted pants, a brown jerkin, and leather bracers. A sword hung at his waist, and an actual bow and arrow rested in a corner. In fact, the only decoration in the otherwise empty room was the sheer display of weaponry of every type. A chest full of knives, maces, axes, throwing stars. A wall of samurai swords. A dozen full-length spears. A dented metal shield, two wooden crossbows, and what looked like an actual halberd. The guy clearly had a weapon fetish.

“You look hale,” Vale said with a head nod.

“Thank you for your help.”

“I was surprised Graves would ask for help,” Vale said. His smile lit up his face. “Though I can see why with such abeautiful woman at his side to protect.”

Graves glanced up at that. “She doesn’t need protection.”

“She was injured when I arrived.”

“She can take care of herself.”

Vale held up his hands in clear amusement. “Ah, she is spoken for, I see.”

“Iam right here, and I’m not spoken for.”

“Well, in that case, might I persuade you to stay in the market with me a little longer?” Vale said with a grin, rising to his feet and taking her hand to press a kiss to the back. “This is but my nearest safe house. There are jewels in my possession of which you have never seen the like.”

“Vale, cut the shit,” Graves said.

Kierse extracted her hand. “I’ll take the location of the bookkeeper.”

Vale didn’t look put out as he straightened. “If you insist. We should get moving, then.”

“Finally,” Graves said.

Niamh appeared then, looking decidedly more grounded. “I’m ready when you are.”

Vale led the way from his safe house and through the warren of buildings. He navigated the streets the way Kierse did the surface. New York was her home, and she knew it front and back. This seemed to be the same for Vale here in the market.

And he appeared well known enough that monsters shuffled out of his way when he approached. A good person to have on her side. She wondered what Graves had offered for his assistance.

It was another hour’s hike through the ever-darkening, winding streets before they came upon a door much thesame as the first one in the Dublin quarter. This one saidRio,and beneath that, once again,beware of dog.

“So the dog survived,” Graves said.

Vale held his hand out to Graves, and they clasped forearms. “Until next time, my friend.”

“When I return to the city, I’ll complete our trade.”

“I know you’re good for it.”

Vale winked at Kierse, tipped his head at Niamh, and then loped off into the distance.

“What did you offer him?” Niamh asked.

“A set of armor,” Graves said.

“That tracks,” Kierse said. She glanced at the door with apprehension. “Think the bookkeeper is actually inside?”

“Let’s fucking hope so,” Graves said as he turned the knob and pushed the door open.

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