Now the Ellyl did bow, and the gesture was smooth and dismissive, the gilded bee of his House gleaming at the closure of his cloak, its wings wrought of purest crystal. His arms were immaculate, his face beautiful and impassive. Only his luminous eyes gave evidence of his passion, keen and glittering. “We follow Aracus Altorus, Captain. Our kinswoman and his bride has been lost. All else is as naught.”

Rikard grunted. “See that it is so.” Raising one arm, he summoned the Regent Martinek’s forces, scores of Pelmarans in leather armor augmented with steel rings, keen and ready. “You hear it, lads! We ride to Kranac! The Sorceress’ days are numbered!”

Out of port they rode, and into the dark forests of Pelmar.

IT WAS A SWIFT SHIP.

If he’d had to guess, Carfax would not have supposed the Dwarfs would make good seafarers. He would have been wrong. It was choice, and not necessity, that kept them primarily land-bound.

Their ship sailed from Dwarfhorn, making good time under a steady wind. The crew was polite and competent, unapologetic for the inconveniences of tall folk on a Dwarf ship. Whatever it was that had transpired with the Greening of the branch in the orchards of Malumdoorn, it had won the aid of Yrinna’s Children, if not their goodwill.

Most of Malthus’ Company spent their time belowdecks, closeted in close council. For the nonce, Carfax was forgotten, reckoned harmless. Only Malthus’ binding held him, circumferencing his mind even as it loosened his tongue.

Fat Thulu stood in the prow, holding his digging-stick and keening exuberant songs. It got on Carfax’s nerves.

“What does he do?” he snapped at Dani.

“He charts the ways.” The young Yarru was surprised. “The ways of water, fresh water, as it flows beneath the sea’s floor. Do your people not do the same?”

“No, they don’t.” Carfax thought of home, of Staccia, where the leaping rivers of Neheris ran silver-bright and a thousand blue lakes reflected the summer sky. No need, there, to chart abundance. “Dani, why are you here?”

“To save the world.” Gravely, Dani touched the flask at his throat. “It is necessary. Malthus said so.”

“He said so.” Carfax regarded him. “Then why does he not invite you belowdecks, to take part in his counsel? Why does he withhold his plan from you?”

There was doubt in the boy’s eyes, a faint shadow of it “He says there are things it is better I do not know. That a choice comes I must make untainted. Malthus is one of the Wise, Carfax. Even my elders said so. He would not lie to me. I must trust him.”