‘Stormy—’ Gesler warned, but his companion shook his head, descended to the main deck. As he approached the Bonecaster, another T’lan Imass stepped forward to block him.

‘Soldier!’ Gesler snapped. ‘Stand off!’

But Stormy only moved back to clear space as he raised the flint sword.

The T’lan Imass facing him closed again, the motion a blur, one arm shooting out, the hand closing on Stormy’s neck.

Cursing, Gesler pushed past Felisin, his own hand finding the sword’s grip at his side. The corporal slowed when it became obvious that the T’lan Imass was simply holding Stormy. And the marine himself had gone perfectly still. Quiet words slipped between them. Then the undead warrior released his grip and stepped back. Stormy’s anger had vanished. Something in the set of his shoulders reminded Felisin of Heboric.

All five T’lan Imass began to dissolve.

‘Wait!’ the mage shouted, rushing forward. ‘How in Hood’s name do we get out of here?’

It was too late. The creatures were gone.

Gesler rounded on Stormy. ‘What did that bastard tell you?’ he demanded.

The soldier’s eyes were wet – shocking Felisin – as he turned to his corporal.

Gesler whispered, ‘Stormy...’

‘He said there was great pain,’ the man muttered. ‘I asked How long? He said For ever. The wound heals around him, you see. She couldn’t command, you see. Not for something like that. He volunteered—’ The man’s throat closed up, then. He spun away, bolted through the gangway and out of sight.

‘Clanless,’ Heboric said from the forecastle. ‘As good as useless. Existence without meaning ...’

Gesler kicked one of the severed heads across the deck. Its uneven thumping was loud in the still air. ‘Who still wants to live for ever?’ he growled, then spat.

Truth spoke, his voice quavering. ‘Didn’t anybody else see?’ he asked. ‘The Bonecaster didn’t – I’m sure of it, she didn’t...’

‘What’re you going on about, lad?’ Gesler demanded.

‘That T’lan Imass. He tied it to his belt. By the hair. His bear cloak hid it.’

‘What?’

‘He took one of the heads. Didn’t anybody else see?’

Heboric was the first to react. With a wild grin he leapt down to the main deck, making for the galley. Even as he plunged through the doorway Kulp was clambering down to the first oar deck. He disappeared from view.

Minutes passed.

Gesler, still frowning, went to join Stormy and the ex-priest.

Kulp returned. ‘One of them’s dead as a post,’ he said.

Felisin thought to ask him what it all meant, but a sudden exhaustion swept the impulse away. She looked around until she saw Baudin. He was at the prow, his back to everything ... to everyone. She wondered at his indifference. Lack of imagination, she concluded after a moment, the thought bringing a sneer to her lips. She made her way to him.