“Some guns. I don’t know their names. One kind shoots hundreds of tiny pellets – they used to kill birds with it, until they realised ammunition was running out. Another kind fires a single shot and can kill someone far away. They carry the guns, but they hardly use them.” Petal put her craft to one side and met Sorrel’s eyes. “Why are you really here?”

“I told you the truth. But there’s a group of Lowlanders, Tribals, I guess you’d call them, males and females, preparing to attack the camp. I want you all to help us. And I wanted to warn my mother. I don’t want her to be killed in the fighting. Now I have to get her away from this Drax myself. I can’t bear –”.

“You? Alone? With a machete and a knife? Not a chance.”

Silence fell. All the women were now sitting up, listening. Some left their beds and walked over.

“Where’s the place where Drax does his – his – punishing?” Sorrel asked.

“One of the buildings. Half underground. We think it used to be an arms store, but there’s a newer one where they keep weapons and ammunition now,” Selan said. “It’s cool in the day and soundproof. To the west of the old parade ground, close to the wall. But there are at least two guards when he’s in there; sometimes three.”

“I came over the wall near there. I only saw one guard on the wall.”

“The door is on the north side. Tell us more about these people who are going to attack. What’re they hoping to do?”

“We’re all starving. There’s water and food here and it can be defended. We could be in charge. Don’t you see? This is our best chance. If we get rid of Colonel Drax, the Toplanders will be leaderless. If you help us, I can go back, warn my friends, stop them from attacking everyone and together we can get rid of this terrible man.”

“When are they coming, these Tribals?” Petal asked. “How many of them?”

“Forty. Tonight.”

“Huh. About the same number as the Toplanders,” Selan said. “But we’re locked in.”

“Is there another way out of here? Do these windows open?”

“They’re nailed shut. We’ve tried.”

“Do you have tools?”

“No.”

“I have a knife and a machete.”

“You know what’ll happen to you if they catch you?” the woman with the round face said.

“I don’t want to know,” Sorrel replied. “You’re Iris?”

She nodded. “The dust might clear anytime.”

“We brought a PlAK from Bana. The dust will get thicker. It’ll be with us for at least two days, maybe more.” She looked at each woman in turn. “Will you help us? We don’t have time for all this talk.”