“He's right,” Beko said. “You send us, Nomi, and we'll get what you want.”

It was a strange way of stating it, but Nomi heard the honesty behind Beko's remark. They would not fight their own, they had made that clear. She respected that completely. But no one was willing to say they would not fight Ramus.

If only he won't be a fool, Nomi thought. She bowed her head. “I need those pages.” The fire drew her attention again, and she was happy to see shapes in the glow. Around her, she heard the bustle of Konrad and Ramin checking their equipment before the light faded altogether.

THEY LEFT THE following morning. They all breakfasted together, and then Konrad and Ramin said their good-byes to Noon, Rhiana and Beko. It was a ritual that excluded Nomi, and she walked some way off across the plain while they clasped hands and touched one another's shoulders. They looked her way as they mounted up, and she raised her hand. They gave no sign that they had seen.

She watched the two Serians ride south. They carried everything they needed on their own horses—a pack animal would slow them down—and they urged them into a trot as soon as they left the camp. They had opened their weapon rolls and now looked like true soldiers, with swords, knives, bows, arrows, crossbows and bolts adorning straps across their chests and around their waists.

The moment they disappeared into the landscape Nomi felt an instant sense of dread. Days ago, at the start of their voyage, she had been excited to be out again. She had put the team together herself, paid for everything from her own pocket, and along with Ramus had been in complete control. Then everything had gone wrong, falling apart in such a short space of time that the voyage felt moons old already, not merely days. Control had become an illusion.

I'm trying to regain control, she thought. Take back what's mine. But however much she clung to that idea, it did not hold.

One group was now split into three. They were on the Pavissia Steppes, marauders had killed people only miles from here, Ramus was probably running as fast as he could for the south . . . and worst of all, she felt like the cause of everything.

If only she and Beko had not made love. The shock of that had snapped Ramus—and she still berated herself for not perceiving his true feelings for her—and the rest had tumbled from there. She squatted down in the heather and closed her eyes, feeling Beko's hands on her thighs and delving in between. When she looked back at the camp, Beko was scattering ashes from the fire and muttering something to Rhiana and Noon. This was a different man.

BEKO FELL IN beside her as soon as they set off. Rhiana was in the lead, with Noon close behind. Nomi sensed that the Serians were nervous.