She stumbled over to him, then paused. His nondescript body—in a servant's trousers and shirt—had been pelted with coins, and blood seeped from the several wounds.

He looked up at her. 'What?' he asked.

'I didn't expect there to be blood.'

OreSeur snorted. 'You probably didn't expect me to feel pain either.'

Vin opened her mouth, then paused. Actually, she hadn't ever thought about it. Then she hardened herself. What right does this thing have to chastise me?

Still, OreSeur had proven useful. 'Thank you for throwing me the vial,' she said.