"I hope," she says, "that when we run out of keys, we will begin negotiating. Those who have made the most progress would have a stronger position. But..."

"But I fear that the realization will sink in that there is, indeed, only one rule in Canaan House. We are not forbidden to duel for keys. We are not forbidden to steal or kill." Her face is tight and sober. "I do not believe the Third House has any keys. But their cav is a ranked duelist."