He held out his open hands. ‘We came to this of our own accord. It probably would not have emerged, otherwise.’

She tilted her head, agreeing, and pushed back her greying curls behind an ear. ‘You understand that I am not the Summoner for you?’

His answering smile was gentle. ‘Yes. We understand. We must await ours.’

She tilted her head again and offered Shimmer a shy smile of farewell that was so incongruous on the face of an elder that she had to answer with her own. ‘Good luck,’ Shimmer offered.

After she left, Kilava joined them. She regarded K’azz with a critical eye – perhaps her normal expression. ‘So, K’azz of the Red Clan. Full circle.’

He nodded his grave agreement. ‘Indeed.’

‘This was never our intent. The opposite, in fact.’

‘I know. What of you, then?’

She frowned her uncertainty. ‘I believe I will walk for a time with the Summoner – at least until we cannot bear each other’s company. We shall see.’

K’azz offered his hand, which she took. She took Blues’ and Cal-Brinn’s hands as well, but when Shimmer offered hers, the woman pulled her close and hugged her with alarming strength. ‘I’m glad to see you are back with us,’ she whispered, and released her. Shimmer stood rather shocked, unable to frame a reply. ‘Farewell, Red Clan,’ she said. ‘We will see one another again.’

The T’lan Imass set off across the ice-field. To her eyes they appeared so lonely, so frail, yet she knew this was not the truth at all. She felt that she was watching something timeless, yet something that would never be seen again.

The Iceblood Orman came to them next. He was flanked by his twin guards, both quiet and watchful. He leaned upon his tall spear and regarded them with his one good eye. He still loomed taller than they.

He nodded to Cal-Brinn. ‘My thanks, Crimson Guard, for your defence of the Losts. I am grateful. What now for you? Will you await your friends above?’

K’azz shook his head. ‘They will know where to find us, if they wish. We are for our homeland, Stratem. Best of fortunes to you, Orman of the Sayer. I hope you can carve out a homeland as well.’

The lad’s eye glittered with a new confidence. ‘Oh, I believe we shall.’

‘Farewell, then.’ And K’azz bowed his head, as did Shimmer, Blues and Cal-Brinn. They headed off, following in the tracks of the T’lan Imass.

Cal-Brinn, however, turned back as if struck by a thought. ‘Orman,’ he called.

The lad looked up, ‘Yes?’

‘The Losts. Stalker and Badlands. They may still be alive. It’s just that … they’re lost again.’

Orman ruefully shook his head. ‘I see. Thank you,’ and he waved a farewell.