The Robin And The Kestrel

'Why?' he asked, taking the other arm, and blinking in bafflement. 'What do you want to do with him?'

They hauled the Gypsy up the altar stairs, as she panted out her answer. 'Someone_ought to be here_to answer questions,' she said, her voice and face brimming with malicious enjoyment. 'And we have_a nice big cage here_to make sure he is the one to answer them.'

'And not us,' Kestrel supplied, in complete understanding and agreement. 'Good idea!'

They locked the Gypsy in the cage that had held T'fyrr, first making sure that the Haspur had not left his lock picks behind, that the Patsono Chief did not have a set of picks on his person, and_with a judicious thump on the head with the pommel of Kestrel's dagger_that he would probably not wake up until after there was someone here to deal with him.

'That should do it!' Robin said, as they slammed the door shut on him. 'Prey for Peregrine.' She looked around the ruined Cathedral, thoughtfully.

'You know, things are going to get very interesting here for a while,' she said, nibbling her lower lip. 'And they just might be looking for more people to blame....'

'I've always wanted to see Trevandia,' Kestrel declared, even though he had no such longing until just that moment. But Trevandia was the farthest place he knew of from Gradford that still had welcomed Gypsies and Free Bards.

'Why, so have I!' Robin exclaimed. 'You know, another kingdom seems like a very good place to be right now!'

They looked at each other for a long moment_then broke into only slightly hysterical laughter.

'Trevandia it is!' Kestrel said, when they could catch their breath. 'As soon as we get the wagon.'

There was a growling sound in the distance_growing nearer. It was that of an angry crowd returning.

'How about now?' Robin asked, innocently.

He did not bother to reply; only seized her hand. Together they ran out into the square, and did not stop running until they were past the gates of Gradford_and they did not once look back.