He began to suspect the complicity of the Shake – Skelenal and Sheccanto could not be pleased at the resurrection of their long-dead river god. How many Deniers even recognized the religious authority of the monasteries?

They have done nothing to prevent the slaughter of the Deniers, have they?

The tramp of boots approached along the corridor outside the room. Ilgast Rend drew a deep breath. He folded his hands together on the desktop. To still their trembling.

* * *

With a third of their journey to Yan Monastery ahead of them, Finarra Stone and Faror Hend came upon the first mass of refugees. Their state shocked Faror, and she followed her captain when Finarra led her horse and second mount off the track. They reined in to watch the hundred or so broken figures shamble past.

‘Where are they going, sir?’

‘East, as you can well see.’

‘There is nothing out there,’ Faror objected. ‘Except for this season’s headquarters, and that is but a modest fort of bound grasses and salvaged wood.’

‘Just so,’ Finarra said. ‘Ilgast Rend is about to face a nightmare in logistics.’

Disbelieving, Faror Hend shook her head. ‘Sir, we do not have enough food. Or shelter. And the winter on the Glimmer Fate—’

‘I am aware of all of that, Warden.’

‘Yes sir. Your pardon.’

‘Deniers, one presumes,’ said Finarra, studying the wretched men and women. ‘But few of them old, few of them children, and no newborn. There is something here, Warden, that is not right. Select one – that thin man who’s twice looked at us – and bring him here. I will have the truth from him.’

‘Yes sir.’ Faror Hend dismounted and made her way to the bedraggled man her captain had singled out. He saw her coming and seemed to sag. When she gestured, he pulled away from the others and limped over on bandaged feet.

‘Do not fear us,’ Faror Hend said to him. ‘We are Wardens and would hear what news you have to tell.’

The man squinted at her, and then shrugged.

Together they re-joined Finarra Stone.

The captain wasted little time. ‘You are east of the monasteries, sir. What refuge do you people seek?’

‘They sent us away,’ said the man.

‘Who?’

‘The Shake. But first, they took our children. That was the bargain they offered. Food for us, and the promise that our young ones would be safe with them.’

‘And the elderly?’

The man shook his head, and then smiled as if at a joke. ‘Our mothers and fathers were of the wood and the river. They chose to remain. Now they are all dead.’

‘The Wardens cannot keep you,’ Finarra Stone said to him.

He shrugged again.

‘They can, perhaps, protect you from bandits and … other enemies. But against starvation and the cold of winter, they cannot save you.’

‘We have nowhere else to go.’

‘Are there many more of you on this road?’