Catt carried the empty bucket down the stairs, four flights. On the ground floor, Catt saw that the Landlady's door was open. Light spilled out from a small candle. This apartment building was far enough from the city's center that it was outside the range of the mysterious Unburning curse, so fire was possible here. Fire was also illegal here, but apparently that particular law was not enforced very strictly.

Catt could see the old woman asleep in a rocking chair. Her wrinkled hands were folded ar...