Astrid was already at his side, and the pair stared down at the creature for a moment. Then, without a word, they turned and held each other, as if to reassure themselves that they were unbroken and alive.

‘You did well,’ the god said, nodding at them both. ‘An asghoul is a formidable opponent. Perhaps there is hope for this world yet.’ He gestured at the decapitated head. ‘Take some of the monster’s antler.’

‘We didn’t come here to collect hunting trophies,’ Astrid said.

‘No, you did not. But such an object is capable of closing a portal into the Void. You must be quick. A dead shadow creature like an asghoul cannot stay in this realm for long.’

Astrid watched as Lann, the Dreadblade already raised over his head, brought it down to hack off a sizeable section of the antler. He picked it up just as the body and the severed arm of the asghoul disappeared.

‘How—?’ Lann turned to talk to the god, but there was nothing but mist where he had stood moments before.

Kneeling next to the girl, Lann wrapped his cloak around her shoulders. ‘We’ll get you home to your parents soon. But first we need to tend to my friend’s wounds, all right?’ She nodded back at him, and he noticed how blue her lips were. ‘And while we’re at it, I think you could do with warming up.’

They built a fire large enough to take the chill out of the air, and Astrid held the shaking child while Lann foraged nearby for plant stuffs he knew could help to stop infections. Having returned with what he needed, he set about putting stitches into the flesh of her calf before bandaging the leaves he’d gathered directly on to the wound. The gash was deep, and his needlework wasn’t anywhere near as accomplished as his aunt’s. Despite this, Astrid never complained once; in fact, he caught her looking with interest at his work, her grey eyes wide and serious.

Despite their exhaustion, none of them wished to stay in that place a moment longer than necessary. Having extinguished the fire, Lann carried the youngster back through the woods; slowly, so that Astrid would not have to struggle too much on her wounded leg.

Both of them noticed how the mist had already begun to thin.

‘You are sure you will not stay?’ Bortib asked, repeating the offer he had made moments earlier. He and his wife were beside themselves with relief at the return of their daughter, who was now safely tucked up in bed inside the farmhouse. ‘Not even for one night?’ The four of them were outside, Lann and Astrid making last-minute checks of their horses and equipment.

‘We cannot,’ Astrid answered. ‘Another of our party is heading towards danger, and we need to reach her before she meets it.’