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the lamp, trying to knock it out of his opponent’s hand. The light bobbed as the man dodged away.
    The shrill call of a whistle pierced the air. One of the attackers shouted, “The watch!”
    Thomas’s opponent threw his lamp at Thomas’s head and ran. Thomas ducked and lunged forward, trying for one last thrust and missing. The men fled into the night. Thomas turned away, looking for Eileen. She was standing, breathing heavily, her blades still raised in guard. She wasn’t hurt. Henry’s attackers had also fled, leaving only blood on Henry’s blade and dark puddles on the ground.
    The watch rounded the corner—ten men in dull brown, cudgels and lanterns in hand. The man in front wore a white tabard over his jacket. He blew his whistle one more time, then shouted, “Swords down!”
    “Get them!” Henry shouted, pointing in the direction their attackers had fled. At an order from the man in the white tabard, half the watch ran after the attackers while the others surrounded the three friends.
    Thomas cleaned his rapier off with his handkerchief and sheathed it and his dagger. Henry did the same. Eileen didn’t move, still staring after the men.
    “You,” said the watchman in the white tabard, looking at Eileen. “Put them away.”
    “Eileen!” Thomas called. “It’s over.”
    “Eileen?” repeated the captain of the watch. “She’s a girl?”
    Thomas took no notice of him. He reached out and put a hand on Eileen’s shoulder. Eileen took a deep shuddering breath and lowered her blades. A moment later she sheathed them.
    “Are you all right?” Thomas asked.
    Eileen nodded. “I am.” A grin broke over her face. “I really am.”
    “Now, what’s going on here?” demanded the watchman in the white tabard. He was a beefy, red-faced man and he looked quite displeased.
    “We were attacked,” said Henry. “Six of them.”
    “Three with lanterns,” added Thomas.
    “Robbers, were they?” The watchman sounded unconvinced. “Don’t get many of that type over here. They usually hang around in the poor quarter.” He frowned at the three of them. “What are you lot doing in this part of the city anyway? And why is she dressed as a boy?”
    “We’re going to the theatre,” said Henry.
    After a moment’s silence, the watch captain realized no one was going to answer his second question. He narrowed his eyes at Henry. “Students can’t afford the theatre.”
    “How did you know we were students?” asked Thomas.
    “Two young men and a girl dressed as a boy, all with rapiers, out at night making trouble in a quiet neighbourhood?” said the watchman. “What else would you be?”
    “He is a student,” said Henry, pointing at Thomas. “I am Henry Antonius, son of Duke Antonius of Frostmire.” He raised one hand, and Thomas could see the glitter of the large ring on his finger. “This is his signet. And I can afford the theatre, which is where I was taking my friends when we were attacked.”
    “Aye?” said the watchman, looking at the ring. “Looks like a signet, right enough.”
    “It is,” said Henry. “Now, if you will excuse us…”
    The watchman stood his ground. “I still don’t understand why these types would be in this neighbourhood, Lord Henry,” said the man, with just enough emphasis on the word to make sure Henry knew he was not impressed.
    “Well, when you find out, let me know,” said Henry. He turned to Thomas and Eileen. “Come on.”
    “I didn’t say you could leave,” said the watchman.
    “I didn’t ask,” said Henry. “We will be at the Residence.”
    “The Residence?” the chief of the watch’s eyebrows rose. He called three of his men over. “Escort them to the Residence. If they are who they say, see them safely inside before you leave.”
    “Thank you,” said Henry.
    “If they’re not, take them to the gaol.”
    Henry ignored the watchman, looking instead to Eileen and Thomas. “Come on. I need to have a discussion with Sir