INSIDE THE TINY CELL, I twisted and squirmed on my back, and I ground my arms against the tight chains.

I had no idea what time it was, how long I had been here. I only knew that if I was still here when they came tomorrow, I was a dead man.

I let out all my breath. And the slightest space opened to move my arms.

Hours passed. A finger's breadth of freedom came. Then another. I felt the chains loosen some, but not enough.

I narrowed my shoulders and tucked my chin inside the chain. For the first time in hours, I took a breath with ease. I snaked an arm through the bonds. Then the other, and a loop of chain went over my head.

Then I heard the echo of voices coming down the stairs. Someone delivering dinner. Time for soup. The guards were taking their meal, laughing as they ate.

Other prisoners were grumbling, calling out. Then footsteps... a last meal arriving for me.

So, a familiar voice said with a sigh, it seems I am back in business.

I raised my eyes. It wasPalimpost , the deposed jester, standing in front of my cell. He carried my staff.

Come to gloat, I muttered, swallowing the bitterest taste of defeat.

Not at all. He dangled a set of keys. In truth, I have come to set you free.

I widened my eyes in surprise. I was sure this had to be some kind of cruel joke.Payback... I waited for the guards to come and laugh. But they did not.

Bette and I have drugged the guards with the soup. Quick now, let's get you out of here.

Bette...and you...! I could not believe what he was saying. This was the man I had had sacked. Now he was dangling my freedom before my eyes. Is this real?

It is real, if you can get up off your ass. He inserted a key into the lock and turned it, the door creaking open.

I still could not believe it. But it did not matter. Even if this was just a cruel joke, even if Norcross hid a few feet away, set to cut me in two, I was dead tomorrow anyway.

Somehow we have to get you out of those chains. Palimpost exhaled.

Not a problem, I said. I wiggled my shoulders and arms, and before his eyes, slithered through the top links. Then, I began to unwrap the c............