It's just as well. Tayrey's still hurt. Damaged - and although she loathed her captor, he never actually spoke to her. It was always her fellow prisoners tearing her down and trying to destroy her hopes. Right now she has no sympathy, solidarity or kindness to extend to anyone who didn't show her any in her darkest times.

She smiles, faintly, because she can see Fever is genuinely trying to reach understanding, with that talk of fair contract.

'I'll say,' she answers quickly, 'that I know my customs aren't everyone's and I don't think badly of you or anyone else for not following them when dealing with others. But to me, the contract I agreed to was clear. My life and my return home in exchange for whatever assistance I can provide with the town's problems.'

A pause, and then, carefully: 'Beyond that, I don't take charity. Or tribute. Or anything other than fair exchange. I already have a temporary job and I'm working on lining up a better one, at which point I'll settle my bill at that tavern. It's important to me. It's a matter of pride and dignity and freedom.' It's what set her apart from others at Cardalek, her unwillingness to sit back and rely on family money, to live the life of the idle rich. This director's daughter doesn't shy away from hard work.

'How are you managing? With getting settled?'