"That bitch who led my Tianetta's beloved into temptation," says Hendasamon. "This was a good two hundred years ago, so at least there was nothing stopping my Tianetta from putting a dagger in her chest. Ah, those days. You'll have a harder time of it if this one leaves your Isabella for some ghast of a temptress."

"That's our business," says Path frostily.

"I bet you've never even killed anyone," snorts Hendasamon. "All these fancy ideas about immortalizing mortals. Magically fascinating, shortsighted as policy."

"You'd be wrong," says Path in a low, dark voice.

"Ooh," says Hendasamon, "do tell."

"You know perfectly well that wouldn't be very smart of me. But my Isabella has called Yambe Akka's knife."