Riv paused before the doors of Israfil’s tower, leaning upon a wall for a moment. Lights flickered through shuttered windows, high above. A deep breath and shake of her head and she was running on, shouldering the doors open and stumbling through.

Where is everybody? His guards? Ben-Elim, White-Wings?

She hurried up an empty flight of stairs, dragging herself on, ever higher, until she saw a gleam of light outlining the chamber doors. Israfil’s chambers, unguarded. Riv heard voices, dulled by the oak doors.

A hand clamped upon Riv’s shoulder, turning her.

‘What are you doing?’ Aphra and her mam hissed at her.

‘It has to end,’ Riv said. ‘Kol. He is a poison.’

Her sister stared at her, face twitching with so many emotions.

‘Israfil must know,’ Riv said.

‘No!’ her mother growled. ‘You are sick, your mind clouded. You do not know what you are saying.’

‘I know exactly what I’m doing,’ Riv said. ‘I know right from wrong,’ and she made to go on.

Her mam grabbed her.

‘You are not going in there,’ she said, her eyes blazing.

‘I am,’ Riv grunted, pulling away, but her mother’s grip was strong.

An arrow slammed into the wall between them, thrumming.

Bleda stood a score of paces down the stairway, a handful of his honour guard about him, including the old one who was missing a hand.

‘Let go of her,’ Bleda said.

Dalmae’s grip tightened on Riv’s arm, her other hand inching to her short-sword.

‘Come away with me,’ Dalmae said. ‘It is for your own good.’

‘I cannot,’ Riv said.

‘The next arrow will pierce your thigh. I will not hit the bone, so you may walk again, if I miss the artery. But you will always limp.’

‘Mam,’ Riv said, quietly. ‘Please. Kol is a poison.’

‘But I am so scared for you and Aphra,’ her mam said, a quiver touching her voice, so strong and determined until now.

‘Look what he is making us all do. You killed Garidas.’

Shame filled her mam’s eyes then, and with a sigh she dropped her head and let go of Riv’s wrist.

‘Thank you,’ Riv said and ran on. She reached the doors to Israfil’s chamber, glimpsed a hooded figure standing close by in the shadows of an alcove, but raised voices within the chamber drew her on. She rushed through Israfil’s doors, the voices became louder, clearer. She staggered through the waiting room and burst into his chamber, the doors swinging wide, crashing into the walls, everyone within turning startled heads to stare at her.

‘It’s Kol,’ Riv yelled, ‘Kol is the one.’

She stumbled to a stop.