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Theo and I shared a momentary glance. We’d spoken about little else in the past months. Heads almost touching over lunch, hunching over newspapers in his room after dark. Speculating about the implications if further strikes ensued.

“So… it is true, then?” Theo asked, once again far braver than me.

Lord Tanner turned pensive. “That’s the question, isn’t it? Does a union truly exist if it hides itself away? I’m afraid that despite whatever this little group of thugs calls itself, it has yet to come into the open before the House of Lords, or indeed, name its leader. And until it does, it will only ever be something in the shadows, stirring trouble among good people. Good people who will suffer the consequences of their crimes, if they indeed strike.”

I swallowed, hoping my voice would not betray my nerves. “Is… is another strike likely?”

“That’s the difficult thing about my position, Miss Clarke,” he said. “One must alwayspreparefor eventualities, no matter how improbable they are.”

I hardly knew what he meant.

“Now, rest assured, the House of Lords believes wholly that the mob will disappear shortly, but I’d be a fool not to ensure I have all my knives sharpened, now wouldn’t I?” he spread his arms wide toward Theo and me, as though we were the prized blades in his collection.

Theo frowned. “Us, sir?”

“All of us, Mr. Shop,” Tanner said with a laugh. “All Artisans would need to come together, if the situation arose. And the two of you are inpossession of some of Idia’s greatest gifts. No doubt she saw you fit to use them for the sake of our great Belavere.”

“I don’t understand,” I said.

“Then let me speak plainly, Miss Clarke.” I thought he put rather a lot of emphasis on the nameClarke. “Sometimes the Craftsmen, when they’re feeling disgruntled, stop doing their jobs and make a little noise. A little noise is easily stifled. But sometimes a squeak turns into a deafening roar that drowns sense. Part of my duty is ensuring peace and quiet, Miss Clarke. Do you follow me now?”

Nod, I thought, then did so.

“I will do whatever I can to quash that noise, if need be. And as a good leader, I must ensure I have the means to do so. Artisans have the means.Youhave the means.”

“Me, sir?”

“Our nation of Belavere Trench has the advantage of being… well, a trench. A nation surrounded by mountains. Rich, dense earth. Do you understand my meaning, Miss Clarke?”

“I… yes.”

“Should certain conditions come to pass”—and here, his eyes swept to Theo as well—“the Capital will require your assistance.”

Theo frowned, jaw tight. “Of course, my lord,” he said.

Tanner turned to me. “You would do what is necessary to protect this city, would you not?”

I swallowed. I tried to mimic Theo’s tone. “Of course.”

Lord Tanner smiled. “Wonderful. Now, why don’t you two show me what you can do?”

Theo and I became Dumley’s theater performers after that. We charmed until our palms grew slick and our eyelids fluttered.

Tanner did not utter a word until the demonstration was over. “Quite advanced,” he offered. “As you said, Dumley.”

Despite the bland praise, Dumley seemed elated.

Tanner stood, pulling from his breast pocket two envelopes. He passedone each to Theodore and me. “This is special writ, allowing each of you to obtain a quarterly dose of idium from the dispensaries.”

Theodore and I looked warily at each other. Theodore cleared his throat. “Quarterly, my lord? By law, we are only allowed to consume idium every half year.”

“Unless ordered otherwise by sanctioned writ,” Tanner said, smiling thinly. “I know the law, Mr. Shop. Better than most people, I would think.”

“Why?” I asked. It slipped out before I could blanket it, soften it.

But I sealed my lips shut and waited for the answer.

Tanner donned his jacket. “To sharpen the knives, Miss Clarke.”