‘I think I have been given the sword to find him and stop him. Rakur spoke of the god Lorgukk, and how his armies are stirring in the Void. How our defences are weak, because we no longer cherish our gods. I think this boy is trying to bring the god Lorgukk back to this realm.’

Fleya stood up quickly, walking to the window. Her back to the boy, she stood looking down at her shaking hands for what felt like an age until she finally seemed to come to a decision.

‘My sister once told me that we must all be free to choose the path our lives will take, even if those choices appear foolish to those around us. I argued with her at the time, and I said things to her that I have regretted ever since. But she was right. Her decision resulted in you, and, even if she paid the ultimate price for it, I now know her choice was the right one.’ She turned to face him. ‘Your decision to ally yourself to that blade spells danger for you … for us both. But the deed is done and there is no going back now. You have made your choice and I will do everything in my power to protect and help you, nephew.’ When she offered him a smile the mood in the cabin seemed to change. ‘Lannigon Gudbrandr. It has a certain ring to it, doesn’t it?’

Lann smiled back at her. He was about to reply when something at the edge of his vision caught his eye and caused him to turn. There, in the dark corner of the kitchen, shadows were coalescing, forming into a human shape. The thing was looking back in his direction, and when it started to move towards him, Lann shoved himself back in his chair, almost falling backwards as a result. Alarmed, he turned to Fleya and saw she looked, not frightened, but amused.

The shade drifted towards them and stopped beside the table.

‘That’s Halbe,’ his aunt said, nodding in the thing’s direction. ‘It’s not her real name. I’m not sure house wights have names as such, but that’s what I call her. She doesn’t speak.’

‘A house wight?’ Lann stared at the thing. It seemed to have more substance to it now, and even though he could still see the details of the room through it, so too could he make out features on the ghostly face. She looked young, perhaps the same age as him. The wight stared back at him blankly. Suddenly he was sure it was the same creature he’d seen in the window earlier.

‘A spirit that’s attached to a building. She’s always been here. Og knows, I’ve been here long enough, but I’m guessing she chose to inhabit the place when it was first built.’

‘She’s a ghost?’