Two days and seven leagues of black, clinging clouds of ash, and Lady Envy’s telaba showed not a single stain. Grumbling, Toc the Younger pulled the caked cloth from his face and slowly lowered his heavy leather pack to the ground. He never thought he’d bless the sight of a sweeping, featureless grassy plain, but, after the volcanic ash, the undulating vista stretching northward beckoned like paradise.

‘Will this hill suffice for a camp?’ Lady Envy asked, striding over to stand close to him. ‘It seems frightfully exposed. What if there are marauders on this plain?’

‘Granted, marauders aren’t usually clever,’ Toc replied, ‘but even the stupidest bandit would hesitate before trying three Seguleh. The wind you’re feeling up here will keep the biting insects away come night, Lady. I wouldn’t recommend low ground – on any prairie.’

‘I bow to your wisdom, Scout.’

He coughed, straightening to scan the area. ‘Can’t see your four-legged friends anywhere.’

‘Nor your bony companion.’ She turned wide eyes on him. ‘Do you believe they have stumbled into mischief?’

He studied her, bemused, and said nothing.

She raised an eyebrow, then smiled.

Toc swiftly turned his attention back to his pack. ‘I’d best pitch the tents,’ he muttered.

‘As I assured you last night, Toc, my servants are quite capable of managing such mundane activities. I’d much rather you assumed for yourself a higher rank than mere menial labourer for the duration of this great adventure.’

He paused. ‘You wish me to strike heroic poses against the sunset, Lady Envy?’

‘Indeed!’

‘I wasn’t aware I existed for your entertainment.’

‘Oh, now you’re cross again.’ She stepped closer, rested a sparrow-light hand on his shoulder. ‘Please don’t be angry with me. I can hardly hold interesting conversations with my servants, can I? Nor is your friend Tool a social blossom flushed with enlivening vigour. And while my two pups are near-perfect companions in always listening and never interrupting, one yearns for the spice of witty exchanges. You and I, Toc, we have only each other for this journey, so let us fashion the bonds of friendship.’

Staring down at the bundled tents, Toc the Younger was silent for a long moment, then he sighed. ‘I’m a poor excuse for witty exchanges, Lady, alas. I am a soldier and scant else.’ More, I’ve a soldier’s scars – who can naught but flinch upon seeing me?

‘Not modesty, but deception, Toc’

He winced at the edge to her tone.

‘You have been educated, far beyond what is common for a professional soldier. And I have heard enough of your sharp exchanges with the T’lan Imass to value your wit. What is this sudden shyness? Why the growing discomfort?’

Her hand had not moved from his shoulder. ‘You are a sorceress, Lady Envy. And sorcery makes me nervous.’