“Liar!” Rickard lunged forward and grasped her throat in one hand, his other fist poised to strike. “You don’t see that. The serpent is nothing like you describe. Now, do it: look into my eyes and tell me what you really see.”

Imogen could barely breathe. She twisted against the post and there was a crack of shifting wood. She pressed down with her chin, trying in vain to push away his hand.

Rickard slapped her across the face and the shock sent a wave of blackness through her skull.

“Tell me, goddamn you . . .”

“Go to hell!”

Imogen kicked out blindly, but her foot found a viable target in the juncture of Rickard’s thighs. Caught unprepared, Rickard’s eyes bugged and a red flush crept up his face. He let out a groan. Imogen didn’t stop: she kicked out with both legs as though pedaling a cycle, thrusting at his legs and stomach. Rickard hopped backward and his heels skidded on the edge of the walkway. He grabbed at her to halt his slide, but Imogen snatched herself back from him and his groping fingers found only empty space. One foot went off the walkway and then he plummeted down, suspended on the platform by the strength in only one bent knee. Imogen kicked again.

Rickard let out a wordless cry and toppled over, going down on his back in the water. Foamy bubbles rushed over him for a moment, then he erupted again and roared in anger. Water streamed through his dark hair and from his clothing.

“You filthy, stinking whore! I’m going to skin you alive for that.”

Imogen shrieked, throwing her weight against the upright post. She felt it shift, heard the agonized squeal of nails pulling loose. Rickard squinted up at her, then dashed salty water from his mouth with the back of one hand as he reached for his ceramic knife with the other. Imogen became frantic. She stamped at the boards, throwing her shoulders against the post, bumping it and bumping it with all her might. The post split, triggering a small cloud of rotted particles. Rickard snorted at her attempt at escape, then waded forward and placed a palm flat on the walkway to aid him in stepping up. Imogen kicked at him again but Rickard easily avoided the blow. Suspended by only the cuffs, Imogen skidded and fell, twisting awkwardly. She screamed in pain as her wrists were lacerated by the tight metal hoops. There was a low rumble from above and more dust and slivers of wood rained down.