‘I’ve already made it clear that I neither need nor want your help. And how did you know where to find me? I hope you haven’t been troubling my friends.’

‘Oh, there was no need for that, since you lodged a forwarding request with the postal service,’ Intrepid Windrush said. ‘As to why I came here, I have news that I know will be of great interest to you.’

‘If this is about your so-called prophet, you’ve wasted your journey.’

‘I have news about him, too. But first, I thought you should know that the Sweetwater Collective purchased Master Able’s manuscript from his family, and gave it to Master Mindwell. Along with a donation to help him to continue the work.’

Pilgrim tried to hide his shock, knew from Intrepid’s sly smile that he had not been successful. Master Mindwell had been one of Master Able’s closest and oldest friends. One of the few who had not fallen out with Able after he had taken up his work on the sightings of the visitors, although Mindwell made it clear that he thought it at best an amusing whimsy.

‘I’m glad someone else is taking it seriously,’ Pilgrim said. ‘But Master Mindwell is a little late to the game, and it’s nothing like his usual studies.’

‘He put up an advertisement several days ago, seeking an assistant who would be willing to travel out to the New Territories,’ Intrepid said. ‘That’s how I found out about it. I’m surprised that your friends haven’t alerted you.’

‘Why did you rush out here to tell me this?’

Pilgrim was wondering how much Intrepid knew about his plans. How much Blessed had innocently let slip.

‘The other reason I stopped by,’ Intrepid said, ‘is that Foeless has had another visitation.’

‘And how are things on Morningstar?’

Intrepid ignored the jibe. ‘I’m on my way to talk to him about his latest encounter. To hear every marvellous detail, and his interpretation of what he was shown. You could come with me. Meet Foeless, walk with him in the places he has walked with visitors. See the site where he ascended with them in their vehicle. Think of what you might learn!’

‘I have research of my own,’ Pilgrim said.

‘And no funds to support it. I heard about that business with Master Able’s family. Very unfair of them. The kind of closed-mindedness we both wish to combat.’

‘My business is no business of yours,’ Pilgrim said.

‘Foeless’s followers grow in number day by day. As do their contributions. I could persuade him to use a small fraction of that money to pay for the publication of your master’s work. Annotated and organised by you, in any way you see fit. I won’t change or add a single word.’

‘And what would you gain?’