Spiral Loop

a p

nside of Vix faltered. Then

nto a pail lying next to his feet. "I'll not pay so much

l manner of dubiously acquired goods. The filthy store was cluttered with bits of everyt

needed offloading, this was the place to do it. And Vix had th

ll, and her almond eyes were brown and piercing. She was clothed in rags, bits of cloth that looked

given a smell, comprised of sweat and the barely perceptible waft of rusting metal, that was the scent

be calm as she stared

hin fabric of his shirt to the breaking point. Everyone knew him as Knic

t he was perhaps even better known for his legendary sinuses, which seemed able

her hunk of gray mass into the pail beside him. "Anyt

know this is top-shelf stuff. Worth twice as much as the usual ki

Two silver cups and a heap of fine silverware twinkled out of the darkne

ack's face for moment. "Where d

k questions, Knickknack," Vix said ca

t she had him. But then

here, Vix. Big scores like this go through the Longscarve

n the western half of Belgrave's slums. They were best known for their penchant of stringi

all business in the West Slums. But if she told those buzzards about what she

allenged. "I'll give you a better deal than any

es for protection, same as everyone in this gods

im. "Since m'professional pride is no longer a concern, might I ask again where you got this sw

e not to

more reason not to buy. I don't need a

ck," Vix said, beginning to fee

fawed. "Don't

argaining, Vix stormed out the door. Dimly, she heard the bright little ding of Knickknack'

ssed into the tall shadows cast by Hallowskeep, a collection of spires and towers paying homage to every

. Vix had been living in the West Slums ever since her pare

tuary only lasted until she was nine. It had been closed down by the Belg

tle rodents had almost been cute, in a good light. But she was turned out r

quick to learn the lesson that was law for all who learned to live in the slums. T

led up over their noses and their wild eyes bored into her until she passed them by.

But it was not up to her. 'Nothing i

ix stood alone in a tiny alley. A broken pipe dripped endlessly into a puddle at the far end. A group of p

f her feet. She hugged herself around her knees and let her head fall into her arms, giv

supposed