"If you wanted information," Lyra said, staring down the knife at the girl. "Why did you push me?"

The girl snorted. "I know the canal inside out... And I can swim much better than you can. I figured I'd either turn your dead body in for an award, or I'd get information if you survived."

Lyra raised an eyebrow. "That isn't a very good reason-" "Shut your trap!" The redhead yelled. "Now tell me what you know!" She pushed the knife closer.

Lyra swallowed. "He's horrible, he's angry a lot, and-" the girl rolled her eyes. "Do you know someone named Victor? Tall, plays the drum, stupid sometimes?" Lyra's eyes opened wider in surprise. "Um... Yeah, I do."

The girl cursed. "Where is he now?" She said quietly. Lyra pursed her lips. "He's uh...he's back at the palace. I think. I haven't heard from him. Why are you asking me?"

The girl looked distracted. "You obviously know something. You're wanted by the king, correct?" Lyra shifted. "No. That's absurd." The girl laughed. "You're a horrible liar. Of course you are. I am too."

Lyra furrowed her eyebrows. "I'd trust you, if you know, you didn't have a knife pointed at me. I've had my fill of that. Also, really? The Canal?" The girl looked at her knife as if she forgot it was there. She put it back in its sheath. "Name's Fox. If you ask what my real name is, you'll get a punch in the face."

"Lyra. You separated me from my companion, so I would like to know where he is. And also, the Canal isn't so warm." Lyra said grumpily. "Why would you do that to ask me if I know someone named Victor?"

The girl called Fox sighed. "He's a...friend, who owes me a favor. Oh, sorry about that. By the way, I know your companion." Lyra was confused. "How would you know Barley?" Fox smirked. "He's right over there, and he's my cousin."

Barley came through the crowd, looking at Lyra and Fox. He was very stressed. "Fox!" He yelled indignantly.

Fox faked a sweet smile. "That would be me." Barley huffed, annoyed. "You nearly killed my client! You always do these kinds of things! Why did you do it now?"

Fox looked bored, examining her nails. "I was trying to find Victor. Duh." Barley groaned. "Again with Victor. How many times have I told you he isn't coming back! He doesn't care Fox!" Fox shouted back. "Well he might! He told me he would come back!" Barley threw up his hands. "How many times have I heard that! Get this into your head, Fox! He is selfish, and though he acts noble, like he's doing the right thing, he only wants to save his own skin!"

The two stared daggers at each other for a long moment. Lyra bit her lip. She didn't feel right. Maybe Victor was more than he seemed? And why was he so important to Fox?

Barley's head jerked back to Lyra. "Come on. We're leaving." She nodded quickly, and went back by him. Fox suddenly put a hand on Barley's shoulder. "Where are you going?" She seemed sad, but her eyes still showed anger.

"We're going to Fenrir. And why does this concern you?" Barley said, looking suspiciously at Fox. She narrowed her eyes. "I want to come." Lyra huffed. "You threw me into the Canal. Why should I trust you?" "You trust Barley, don't you?" "Yeah? What does that have to do with anything?" Fox sneered. "You can trust Barley as much as you can trust me. You don't think Barley has any secrets?"

Lyra looked at Barley. Barley didn't meet her eyes. Fox did a satisfied hum. "I have business in Fenrir I want to take care of. And it would do me good to have some travel companions. So, am I in, or not?"

Barley looked up. "Fine." "Barley?" Lyra said, feeling betrayed. "She's my cousin, Lyra. I'll keep her in check. Besides, she has good fighting skills. We don't want to run into any trouble again, do we?" Lyra was instantly reminded of Clyde. "Barley," Lyra growled.

Barley squeezed Lyra's hand reassuringly. "Fox knows the land like the back of her hand. We'll be fine. Do you trust me?" Lyra pulled her hand away. "Do I?" Barley looked hurt, but Lyra didn't care. Lyra sighed. "Fine. Whatever. But if we're turned into the authorities..." She let the thought hang in the air.

Barley got the message. He nodded to Fox. "You can come. But we're setting up ground rules. No looking for Victor. No attempted killings on us, and you're not gonna drag us down. Got it?"

Fox waved her hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. Let's go, then. What're we waiting for? I'll call a boat."

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Sorry, last chapter wasn't so good. Hopefully, this mended it a bit.

-Clo