He seemed to come to a decision about something, and looked up at them. ‘I have to attend to some matters. Colby, would you be so kind as to escort Albert and June back, and, ah, just keep your eyes open?’

‘Of course,’ said Colby.

‘I will stay with you,’ offered June. Father shook his head.

‘No. Go and rest. Tomorrow will bring many challenges, and I will need you, my adviser, at my side, fresh and at your best.’ He smiled briefly, whether just at her or at all of them it was impossible to say, and then he turned and walked away with heavy steps, his head bowed, back into the barracks tent.

‘What a mess,’ said Colby.

June looked at them both. ‘Let’s go.’

Silently, they walked, towards the steps leading to the ledge above, and then up on to the ledge itself. He looked at June. ‘Congratulations, by the way,’ he said to her.

‘Thank you,’ she said, in a tight voice.

He glanced at her, her face was drawn and serious. ‘You don’t sound very happy.’

There was a short pause before she replied. ‘It’s only temporary.’

‘Meaning?’

‘Meaning I’m only on the Council because Father asked me to do it until he can find someone else.’

‘And then?’

She looked at him for a moment. ‘Then I leave.’

Now Colby was looking at her too. ‘Leave for where? There’s nowhere else to go to.’

She smiled, but there was no humour in it. ‘It’s funny you should say that, Colby. That’s exactly what they say up in the City, too.’

‘So where are you headed then?’

‘I thought that was pretty clear,’ said Albert. ‘She’s going back to the City.’

She stopped walking and looked at him with narrowed eyes, even as Colby made an exasperated sound. ‘That’s not what she’s talking about! There’s no way back to the—’ He stopped, looking hard at her. ‘That is what you’re talking ab—look, there’s no way back, not for you. You really think you can go back?’

‘No. I know I’m going back.’

‘You know you’re—’

He broke off, shaking his head in wonder, and then looked at her again. ‘But why would you even want to?’

‘Because of the person she can’t leave behind,’ said Albert. He turned to June. ‘Mind if I ask who he is?’ he said lightly.

And then he quailed where he stood and wished he’d kept looking at Colby, because it was obvious she did mind. She was staring at him, stormy-eyed, her usually pallid countenance mottled with anger—no, anger wasn’t the right word. She didn’t look angry as much as she looked … imperious.

‘Who has been telling you things about me?’