She nodded again, and steeled herself against the pain of his ministrations as he dabbed at her mouth with the oil-soaked cloth strapped onto the stub of his left arm. He spoke as he worked. ‘Eventful night for us all. Baudin escaped the gaol, lighting a few buildings to flame for diversion. He’s hiding somewhere here in Skullcup. No-one tried the cliff walls or Sinker Lake – the cordon of guards lining Beetle Road up top reported no attempts to breach, in any case. Sawark’s posted a reward – wants the bastard alive, not least because Baudin went and killed three of his men. I suspect there’s more to the tale, what do you think? Then Beneth reports you missing from the Twistings work line this morning, starts me wondering. So I go to talk to him at the midday break – says he last saw you at Bula’s last night, says he’s cut you loose because you’re all used up, sucking more smoke into your lungs than air, as if he ain’t to blame for that. But all the while he’s talking, I’m studying those cut marks on his knuckles. Beneth was in a fight last night, I see, and the only damage he’s sporting is what was done by somebody’s teeth. Well, the weeding’s done and nobody’s keeping an eye on old Heboric, so I spend the afternoon looking, checking alleys, expecting the worst I admit—’

Felisin pushed his arm away. Slowly she opened her mouth, wincing at the pain and feeling the cool prick of reopened gashes. ‘Beneth,’ she managed. Her chest hurt with every breath.

Heboric’s eyes were hard. ‘What of him?’

‘Tell him ... from me ... tell him I’m ... sorry.’

The old man slowly leaned back.

‘I want him ... to take me back. Tell him. Please.’

Heboric rose. ‘Get some rest,’ he said in a strangely flat voice as he moved out of her line of sight.

‘Water.’

‘Coming up, then you sleep.’

‘Can’t,’ she said.

‘Why not?’

‘Can’t sleep ... without a pipe. Can’t.’

She sensed him staring at her. ‘Your lungs are bruised. You’ve some cracked ribs. Will tea do? Durhang tea.’

‘Make it strong.’

Hearing him fill a cup of water from the cask, she closed her eyes.

‘Clever story, lass,’ Heboric said. ‘A foundling. Lucky for you I’m quick. I’d say there’s a good chance Beneth believes you now.’

‘Why? Why do you tell me this?’

‘To put you at ease. I guess what I mean is –’ he approached with the cup of water between his forearms ‘- he just might take you back, lass.’

‘Oh. I... I don’t understand you, Heboric’

He watched her raise the clay cup to her lips. ‘No,’ he said, ‘you do not.’