‘Bhok’arala have small brains. Tiny brains inside their tiny round skulls. Cunning as rats, with eyes like glittering black stones. Four hours, once, I stared into one’s eyes, he into mine. Never once pulling gaze away, oh no, this was a contest and one I would not lose. Four hours, face to face, so close I could smell his foul breath and he mine. Who would win? It was in the lap of the gods.’

Mappo glanced at Icarium, then cleared his throat. ‘And who, Iskaral Pust, won this . . . this battle of wits?’

Iskaral Pust fixed a pointed stare on Mappo. ‘Look upon him who does not waver from his cause, no matter how insipid and ultimately irrelevant, and you shall find in him the meaning of dull-witted. The bhok’aral could have stared into my eyes for ever, for there was no intelligence behind them. Behind his eyes, I mean. It was proof of my superiority that I found distraction elsewhere.’

‘Do you intend to lead the D’ivers and Soletaken to the gate below, Iskaral Pust?’

‘Blunt are the Trell, determined in headlong stumbling and headlong in stumbling determination. As I said. You know nothing of the mysteries involved, the plans of Shadowthrone, the many secrets of the Grey Keep, the Shrouded House where stands the Throne of Shadow. Yet I do. I, alone among all mortals, have been shown the truth arrayed before me. My god is generous, my god is wise, as cunning as a rat. Spiders must die.

The bhok’arala have stolen my broom and this quest I set before you two guests. Icarium and Mappo Trell, famed wanderers of the world, I charge you with this perilous task – find me my broom.’

Out in the hallway, Mappo sighed. ‘Well, that was fruitless. What shall we do now, friend?’

Icarium looked surprised. ‘It should be obvious, Mappo. We must take on this perilous quest. We must find Iskaral Pust’s broom.’

‘We have explored this monastery, Icarium,’ the Trell said wearily. ‘I noticed no broom.’

The Jhag’s mouth quirked slightly. ‘Explored? Every corner, every cranny? I think not. Our first task, however, is to the kitchen. We must outfit ourselves for our impending explorations.’

‘You are serious.’

‘I am.’

The flies were biting in the heat, as foul-tempered as everything else beneath the blistering sun. People filled Hissar’s fountains until midday, crowded shoulder to shoulder in the tepid, murky waters, before retiring to the cooler shade of their homes. It was not a day for going outside, and Duiker found himself scowling as he drew on a loose, thinly woven telaba while Bult waited by the door.

‘Why not under the moon,’ the historian muttered. ‘Cool night air, stars high overhead with every spirit looking down. Now that would ensure success!’

Bult’s sardonic grin did not help matters. Strapping on his rope belt, Duiker turned to the grizzled commander. ‘Very well, lead on, Uncle.’