Ascending the stairs that lead to the flat above the butcher's felt much too familiar for my liking. Still, there seemed no other option. I couldn't hide in the Underthing from Ambrose forever. I could have moved to Mews of course, but it was easily accessible. I didn't want to have to watch out for ropes on the stairs all the time. The third option, looking for an other inn, I hadn't even considered. I knew well enough from former experience Anker's had been the only place not on the Jakis' paylist.

So I knocked at Devi's door.

"If it isn't my favourite student!" she brimmed up at me, "please come in."

I swallowed than concealed it than entered.

"Please take a seat," Devi said, gesturing at her office table. "Is it true you had a brawl with Master Namer and broke his arm in the process?"

"What?"

"Well, you ran off already the second time this term. Do you ever attend classes?"

"I was at Lorren's class just yesterday. I'm also quite fond of Master Rhianna, the new Master of Languages."

"Such a busy boy," said Devi, clicking her tongue at me "maybe I should feel flattered that you visit me at all. I heard the new Master of Languages is quite... striking."

"For a woman of her age, that is," I said grinning, "Devi, you'll always be a closer friend to my heart than her. Fear nothing. I can swear it my name and power if I must."

Devi snorted. "I can't buy anything with oaths, so you can keep them for yourself. Why have you come to me?"

"You probably already know," I said, looking her into the eyes, "Anker's burned down. I need a place to stay at."

"I have already prepared a flat," admitted Devi, "it's rented under a different name so you'll have your privacy. It'll cost, though."

"How much?" I asked.

"Ten talents each Cendling. It's a fine flat. I thought to make it my place originally."

I sighed. "Devi, you know I can't afford that much. Not after what happened at Anker's."

Devi sighed, looking at my fingers. "So what do you have for me, Kvothe? Useless jewellery again? Your lute? Your silver pipes?" She smiled at me "I appreciated the last item during your absence more than I thought possible. The Eolian has the best music in the whole city."

"It has," I agreed, "but it is also the only place where I can currently play music. With a lent lute, mind you. This time I fear I'll have to trade a favour with you."

"A shame, I would have accepted that bone ring of yours," Devi said deviously. "But now that you mention it, there is a thing or two you could help me with."

"As such?"

"As for example, the Lackless box. I want to have it."

"What would you do with it?" I asked, taken by surprise, "I thought you'd ask me to smuggle you into the archives again."

"Do you know why you are my favourite customer, Kvothe?" she asked.

I remained silent, as it seemed to be some kind of rhetorical question.

"All other of my customers would have asked stupid questions as to what it is, where it is, who protects it and such stuff. For the Lackless box I'll let you live in my flat a lifetime, untroubled by the likes of Ambrose."

"No," I said, "ask something else."

Devi smiled at me sweetly, "What if I want nothing else? What could you offer me that I haven't already?"

I fingered my ring of bone. No, there had to be an other option. It was not the kind of ring to give away. I imagined Stapes face, if he were summoned to do a favour for a copper hawk. He would kill me, and worse, be under obligation to do what ever Devi wanted from him.

"Look at this," said Devi, and took a lute case from underneath her desk. She opened it. "This lute was made by Anthressador himself. It is the only one he ever named with a male name."

"Ison," I whispered, "after his dead son."

Devi opened the lute case and there Ison was, blinking at me with two hundreds years of age. I averted my face, unable to speak. I thought of all the lute at the Eolian lacked. And than I stood and turned to leave, not daring to cast an other look at Ison.

"Fine," said Devi angrily, "Sit down. I'll be content by access to the archives."

I sat. I had no other choice.

"I'll lead you there only once," I said with a dead voice, "My friend might run at the very sight of you."

"Once?"

"And you need to wear a blindfold. You may not speak to her."

"What will you give to me in return, if I agree to these conditions?" Devi moaned, "Once is little more than never."

"Prepare a book list," I suggested.

"Those circumstances, they are very uncomfortable. I agree only to them if you grant me that should I ever get a hold on the Lackless box, you'll help me to get it open," said Devi.

"What?"

"Those are my conditions, take or leave," said Devi firmly.

"Agreed," I said hastily, before she could ask for more. I exposed my left arm so she could take her blood sample and swore inwardly I would do everything I could so that the Maer's little box never reached her hands.