Lasa Rook lifted a bright gaze to him. ‘At last, brevity! Heed well this deplorable youth, Jaghut, and consider – in your own time, to be sure – the value of being succinct. After all, we do not all live for ages untold, inviting such preambles as to witness the greying of hair and bending of bones.’

After a moment, the Jaghut rose and retrieved the pack that Hanako had dragged into the firelight. He pulled free the straps and drew out a bundled chain surcoat, followed by a helm, a belt and twin scabbarded shortswords.

Hanako stared. ‘You swam carrying all that? I think even I could not manage such a thing, sir.’

‘When swimming fails, one walks.’

‘Listen to him, Hanako. Before this night is done, he will tell you of the stars he gathered from the sky.’ She rose. ‘I’m for sleep, yielding to you snores rather than moans. But do lean an ear to this pallid Jaghut, and partake in his dirge of exhausted wisdom. No finer music could more quickly put me to sleep.’

Hanako moved to check on Erelan Kreed, but the warrior remained unconscious, his brow hot with fever. Troubled, Hanako returned to sit opposite the Jaghut.

‘What ails your friend?’

‘He slew a dragon, and then drank its blood.’

The Jaghut grunted. ‘I expect he eats his own lice, too.’

‘I am named Hanako.’

‘I know.’

Hanako waited, and then shrugged before dragging close a branch torn from a tree they had pulled up from the high-water line. He flung it on to the fire. Sparks scattered and then died.

‘Names,’ said the Jaghut, ‘become their own curses. They are seared upon your soul, destined to follow your every deed. Such flimsy frames to bear inordinate burdens. It is my thought that we should all dispense with our old names, perhaps once every ten or so years. Imagine the wonder of beginning anew, Hanako, cleansed of all history.’

‘I would see a world, sir, where every crime was escaped.’

‘Hmm, you have a point there, but I wonder, what is it, precisely?’

‘With our names comes responsibility, for all that we have done, and all that we promise to do. But also, sir, how would we keep track of our companions? Our friends? Family?’

‘Yes, but your point?’

Hanako frowned. ‘You are Jaghut. You are unlike the rest of us. It is the very continuity that we yearn for, which you would reject. Well, which you have rejected.’

For a time neither spoke, and the only sound beyond the crackling flames was the drone of Lasa Rook’s snoring.

Then the Jaghut said, ‘Hanako, I am named Raest.’

‘Then welcome, Raest, to our fire.’

‘Voice a single jibe, Hanako, and I might have to chop off your head. Just so you understand how this night will play.’

‘I am too worried for Erelan Kreed, to be honest.’

‘He will live. Or die.’

‘Ah. Thank you.’