‘This is dangerous,’ Cob said. ‘I’m taking us out.’

‘Understood.’

Cob set a course to steer them away from the Lost Souls and toward Malakai, the capital of Imakale. The drum sounded below as the oarsmen resumed their labors. The square sail made a sound like the crack of a whip when it climbed to the top of the mast.

Dion stayed beside Cob and continued to gaze at the jagged island peaks. There had once been a powerful civilization here, a civilization that ruled the world, even warring with the eldren and conquering their homeland, Sindara.

‘They all have their names,’ Cob said. ‘I only remember a few.’ He nodded at one of the craggy islands. ‘That’s the Shrine. See the small building just above the water? One of the only structures above the surface. That round peak is the Dome.’

Cob pointed at the mainland, where a narrow strait separated a promontory from the Lost Souls. Dion followed the old man’s gaze to a large island, a lopsided hill with a cliff on the far side sloping down to a shore.

‘Widow’s Peak is the closest to the mainland,’ Cob said.

‘Widow?’ Dion frowned.

‘People dive off and search for treasure. They say that below Widow’s Peak is a tower, far bigger than the one we just left behind. You can see the top from the surface. I’ve heard more than one story about a man finding gold down there. Not that I’d try it. Dangerous work. And you’d think any treasure would have been discovered long ago.’

‘Probably true,’ Dion said, ‘but not very romantic.’

‘Lad, as soon as you see me being romantic, you have my permission to throw me into the sea.’

‘Well, now you mention it . . .’ Seeing Cob’s expression, Dion decided to let up on his jesting. ‘The cape. Does it have a name?’

‘Cape Cush.’

They both watched the distant promontory for a time, soon leaving it behind as the vessel’s pace picked up and they made speed for Malakai. Cob began to look worried as a thin strip of land appeared on the horizon.

‘They say Malakai was built by the Aleutheans, like Aleron, in Sarsica,’ Dion said. ‘But where Aleron is in ruins, Malakai was never abandoned.’

‘Well, lad, against my better judgment, you won’t have long to wait to see it for yourself.’

A yellow and barren coastline, flat and featureless, now stretched as far as the eye could see in both directions. Scanning ahead, waiting for something to break up the monotony, finally Dion saw the unmistakable signs of a settlement.