[The crunch of the bike wheels through the dirt fills in the silence as Wilhelm deliberates. On one hand, Nott has a reputation for getting rough after the sun goes down. He hasn't run into any trouble himself in all his years of coming here — other than having to dodge shambling corpses the first time the Heralds paid a visit. Even so, he tilts into high alert when he's here after dark.

He reassures himself with the fact that a thief would have to be pretty thick to target Summoned and risk kicking the hornet's nest of the crown's contempt. Between couriering and pitching in to help the beleaguered town when he can, he has a pretty recognizable face around here. For better or for worse.

And on the other hand, they haven't found any of the missing dolls. Going back to the castle now will be like admitting they've wasted their time.]

Let's keep looking. You know, I bet the kids just hid some of the dolls themselves. Something is controlling them, making them act strange. They might not remember doing it.

[He frowns pensively.]

I don't know about the ones missing from shops, though.