He bellowed laughter and slapped his hip. Two other militia emerged behind him, these carrying bows with arrows already strung.

“Sorry to disappoint,” Volkain said. “But last week I met a pretty mountain wolf. She howls!” He strung out the last word, performing a passable impression of a wolf's call.

It was only as he leaned back into the howl that Nomi noticed his third arm. It curled out from his left shoulder, pointing forward instead of sideways. There was a small crossbow strapped around its wrist, and in place of hand and fingers sprouted three metallic spikes.

She'd heard of the Cantrassan chop shops, but this was the first time she'd seen one of their subjects. It was rumored that nine out of ten who went there died on the table, before the places had been shut down.

Rhiana joined in the howling, and Volkain coughed, spat and laughed.

Nomi was unnerved by the display. She wondered how many travelers these militia met, and what payment they extracted for anyone wishing to pass through. And beneath Rhiana and Volkain's bluster, she sensed something more sinister.

“What is this?” she whispered.

Beko half turned, and whispered over his shoulder. “Testing the water.”

“Who are your friends?” Volkain asked.

“I'm glad you asked.” Rhiana dismounted and stretched, and Nomi was sure there were more curves to the Serian than she had noticed previously. “Curses, that saddle makes me sore in places I never knew I had.”

Volkain eyed the Serian greedily, the look in his eyes unmistakeable.

“So, my friends and I are on a bit of a journey,” Rhiana said. “Indeed, a voyage.”

“You have a Voyager among you?” Volkain said, and his voice changed immediately, from vaguely threatening to fascinated. He lowered his third arm, as though to hide it away, and scanned the small group. When his eyes alighted on Nomi, she offered him a half smile.

“Voyager Nomi Hyden,” Rhiana said.

Volkain came forward, out of the shadows and into the sunlight. “We're honored!” he said, and Nomi saw that he meant it. And here I am, she thought, judging by appearances.

“It's my honor,” she said, and Volkain laughed at that, but politely.

“Can I ask where your voyage takes you?” he said. “We've had a few of your colleagues come this way since I've been in charge. A year? Two? Maybe even three years.”

“Any recently?” Nomi asked.

He ignored her question. “They always pay their way.”

“What's the fee?” Rhiana asked.

Volkain shook his head, as though deeply offended. “For you, Rhiana? You have to ask that?”

A brief silence, a nervous pause.

“There's no fee for a friend.”

Rhiana smiled and gave Volkain a brief bow.

“Although . . . I lie,” the big man said. “The fee is to drink and eat with us. We have some fine root wine, and the best air-snake steaks for a hundred miles around. And I'm sure you'll want news of steppe marauders and the like, yes?”