When the pounding came at the door, she dropped the linens in the hallway. She wanted to run away. She could not. She stood alone between whatever was at the door and the children of her family. She saw Rache venture out from the kitchen, her kindling in hand. Ronica stepped briefly into the study. It had been Captain Vestrit's conceit to keep a marlinespike on the corner of his desk. It was still there. She had it in her hand as she stood inside the door and demanded, “Who's there?”

“Reyn Khuprus! Please. Let me in!”

Ronica nodded at Rache, but did not put down the marlinespike. The serving woman undid the latch and bolt. As the door swung open, Reyn recoiled in horror at the sight of the battered old woman.

“By my honor, I prayed it was not true!” he cried. “And Malta?”

Ronica stared at the young Rain Wild man. He was still dressed in his elegant evening wear, but the smells of dust and smoke clung to him. He had been in the thick of it. “She's alive,” Ronica said flatly. “Davad Restart is dead. As is the coachman.”

He did not seem to hear her words. “I swear, I did not know. She came in a hired coach, they told me you all arrived in a hired coach. I expected her to leave that way. Please, please. Is Malta all right?”

Ronica made the connection. Cold enveloped her. “Your men left her to die. In fact, they told her she was dying. That should tell you something of her condition. Good day, Reyn Khuprus.” She motioned to Rache, who began to close the door.

Reyn flung himself bodily against it. Rache could not hold it against him. He stumbled into the hall, then straightened and faced them. “Please, please. There is so little time. We've driven the galleys from the harbor mouth. I came to get Malta, to get all of you. I can get you out now, and up the Rain Wild River. You'll be safe up there. But there isn't much time. The Kendry will sail soon, with or without us. The galleys could return and close the harbor at any time. We have to go now.”

“No.” Ronica said flatly. “I think we'll take care of our own, Reyn Khuprus.”

He spun away from her abruptly. “Malta!” he cried. He sprinted down the hallway toward the wing of bedchambers. Ronica started after him, only to suddenly grasp at the wall, her head reeling. Her body would betray her now? Rache took her arm and helped her follow Reyn.

The young Rain Wilder had gone mad. He roared Malta's name as he raced down the hall, flinging doors open. He reached Malta's room just as Keffria came flying out of hers at the end of the hall. He looked inside, gave a cry of anguish, and disappeared into her room.

“Don't you touch her!” Keffria cried, and raced toward the door. But Reyn reappeared in the door, Malta, wrapped in a blanket, in his arms. She was as white as the bandages that bound her head. Her eyes were closed and her head lolled against him.

“I'm taking her,” he said defiantly. “The rest of you should come, too. But that's up to you. I can't force you to come with me, but I won't leave Malta here.”

“You have no right!” Keffria cried. “Is this the new way of your folk, to abduct their brides?”

Reyn gave a sudden wild laugh. “By Sa, she dreamed true! Yes! I take her now. I have the right. 'By blood or gold, the debt is owed.' I claim her.” He babbled the crazy words. He looked down into her face. “She is mine,” he asserted.

“You cannot! The payment is not due-”

“It will be soon, and you cannot possibly amass it. I'm taking her, while she is still alive. If I must do it this way, then I shall. Come with me, I beg you. Don't make it be like this for her.” He turned to face Keffria. “She will need you. And Selden is not safe here, not if the Chalcedeans over-run the town. Would you see your little son with a slave tattoo on his face?”

Keffria's hands flew up to cover her mouth in horror. She looked at Ronica. “Mother?” she asked through her fingers.

Ronica decided for all of them. “Get the boy. Go quickly, take nothing, just go.”

SHE STOOD ON THE PORCH AND WATCHED THEM RIDE AWAY. REYN HELD Malta bundled before him on the horse. Keffria rode their old mare and a stoic Selden sat his fat old pony. “Mother?” Keffria asked a last time. “The horse can carry two of us. It is not so far for her.”

“Go. Go now,” Ronica repeated, as she had already said over and over. “I'm staying. I have to stay.”

“I can't leave you like this!” Keffria wailed.

“You must. It is your duty to your family. Now go. Go! Reyn, take them away from here before their only chance is gone.” Only to herself did she add, “If Bingtown is going to end in blood and smoke, I will see it. And I must see to burying Davad.”