"My poor reputation." He smiled, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "I just cut off that bitch"s head by mistake. You were hanging around with her in the street, I decided she was your friend."

"She was my friend."

"I wanted to kill the Unclean!"

Nikto laughed.

"You find it funny, you"re amused that a commoner puts me down! I need to kill him!"

"You can try. He"s like a rat, if he hides, you won"t catch him."

"Did you try?" Orel leaned forward.

"No," Nikto lit a cigarette. "Why would I?"

"He was threatening you, too."

"And a lot," Enriki added.

"Let him have his fun," Nikto said. "It works to my advantage. His tales of me scare everyone so much that I can do whatever I want in the Lower City now."

Orel laughed.

"They are really afraid of you, aren"t they?"

"You can"t imagine," Nikto shook his head.

"I don"t find it funny at all," Lis said. "What"s good in being a fright for everyone?"

"At last you"ve said something, Lis!" Orel exclaimed. "I thought you swallowed your tongue! No," he continued, "I"ll kill that Morgan nonetheless, and you"ll help me find him," he stabbed his finger at Nikto"s mask.

"Hey, careful!"

"You seem happy," Lis said.

"Who"s happy? I"m happy?"

"No, your horse"s happy."