“You’re mad!” said Mucum, sitting at the side of the pool and munching the last of the blackberries. “Cold water gives me the shivers!”

“That’s the whole point!” Ark tingled all over, feeling the burn on his skin. Nothing would ever take away the stench of battle, the pitiful look in the Commander’s eyes as Ark crushed the man’s will. Had he done right?

He suddenly heard a reassuring voice. “No. What you did was forged with necessary justice.”

Ark looked around, to see a high-hare perched on a nearby branch, head cocked to one side as it studied the boy in the pool. Its brown ears quivered like a pair of antennae, then it bounded off and vanished into the forest. Ark grinned. He must be imagining things! But as he trod water, he felt cleansed, buoyed up by the trees, his eyes taking in the rich blue of sky above him.

The fire pit was already up and running, stones lining a circular indentation at the edge of the pool. There’d been enough drama the last few weeks without setting fire to the forest. Ark threw the wet bag to Mucum and continued treading water. “Are you coming in, Shiv?”

Shiv dabbled her toes at the edge and gave a resounding screech. “It’s chilly. Very chilly. My feet don’t like that horrid water!” Since the battle, and every time she saw Mucum, she followed him around like a scaffield lamb. Mucum had never had an honorary little sister before, and despite her regular tantrums, he felt decidedly tender toward the little twig.

Flo looked up from chopping root mushrooms. “Oi think Oi’m getting used to all this daylight. ’Tis quite nice on moi skin, Oi thinks.”

“You look as gorgeous as ever!” said Mucum.

“Whoi, Oi love a good compliment. ’Tis the best food of all!” She suddenly fell silent as the shadow of her father clouded the scene.

“Yer dad would’ve wanted you to be happy, eh?” Mucum did his best, but a bundle of words wouldn’t take away what was in her heart.

She nodded, wiping a quick tear away. “Anyways, we be frying up a good feast of shrooms and clams. It’s gonna be a tasty one. Yow all hungry?”

“Starving!” they chorused.

“Ow!” cried Flo as the knife slipped.

Ark saw a bright bead of blood gather at the tip of her thumb. For some reason, it made him feel uneasy, bringing back memories of the battle.

Seconds later, as he finally climbed out of the pool and sat down by the edge to dry himself off, he saw the water ripple out and felt a breeze ruffle his hair.

Then the sun was eclipsed by a black, feathered shadow.