But that did not explain the host of other details that plagued the assassin – details that, each on their own, rang a minor note of discord, yet together they created a cacophony of alarm in Kalam. Blurred passages of time, perhaps born of the man’s driving aspiration to complete this voyage, at war with the interminable reality of day upon day, night upon night, the very sameness of such a journey.

But no, there’s more than just a conflict of perspective. The hour-glasses, the dwindled stores of food and fresh water, the captain’s tortured hints of a world amiss aboard this damned ship.

And that fast trader, it should have sailed past us long ago . . .

Salk Elan. A mage – he stinks of it. Yet a sorcerer who could twist an entire crew’s mind so thoroughly . . . that sorcerer would have to be a High Mage. Not impossible. Just highly unlikely among Mebra’s covert circle of spies and agents.

There was no doubt in Kalam’s mind that Elan had woven about himself a web of deceit, inasmuch as it was in such a man’s nature to do so, whether necessary or not. Yet which strand should the assassin follow in his quest for the truth?

Time. How long has this journey been? Tradewinds where none should be, now a storm, driving us ever southeastward, a storm that had therefore not come from the ocean wastes – as the immutable laws of the sea would demand – but from the Falari Isles. In its dry season – a season of unbroken calm.

So, who plays with us here? And what role does Salk Elan have in this game, if any?

Growling, the assassin rose from his bunk, grabbing in mid-swing his satchel from its hook, then made his rocking way to the door.

The hold was like a siege tower under a ceaseless barrage of rocks. Mist filled the salty, close air and the keel was awash in shin-deep water. There was no-one about, every hand committed to the daunting task of holding Ragstopper together. Kalam cleared a space and dragged a chest free. He rummaged in his satchel until his hand found and closed on a small, misshapen lump of stone. He drew it out and set it on the chest-top.

It did not roll off; indeed, it did not move at all.

The assassin unsheathed a dagger, reversed his grip, then drove the iron pommel down on the stone. It shattered. A gust of hot, dry air washed over Kalam. He crouched lower.

‘Quick! Quick Ben, you bastard, now’s the time!’

No voice reached him through the storm’s incessant roar.

I’m beginning to hate mages. ‘Quick Ben, damn you!’