Rut shook his head. “I got nothing to do with the Sanctuaries,” he said. “I stay out of their business, and they should stay out of mine. I’m a natural-born sorcerer.”

“We’re all natural-born sorcerers,” said Pleasant. “The word you’re looking for is Neoteric.”

Rut laughed. “That’s a stupid name. I just use magic differently from you Sanctuary types, that’s all. Either of you want any tea? I’m making tea.”

“I don’t drink,” said Pleasant.

“I’ll have some tea,” said Cadaverous.

Rut nodded, and walked into the house. Cadaverous and Pleasant followed. A small house, the kitchen part of the living room. Cold in here, despite the roaring fire. They watched him fill the kettle and put it on to boil.

“What are you going to do,” Rut said, “if I resist?”

“We’ll drag you,” said Pleasant. “Or carry you. Politeness is not our primary concern.”

“Yeah? Then what is?”

“You just have to be alive when we deliver you.”

Rut looked at them both with narrowed eyes. “This isn’t Sanctuary business, is it?”

“No,” said Pleasant. “It is not. To be honest with you, the Sanctuaries don’t even know you exist. I had to hear about you from a gentleman named Lethe, who claims you’re something of a serial killer. Is that true?”

Rut shrugged. “Used to be.”

“You gave it up, did you? Realised it wasn’t for you?”

“It was a phase, I think. It passed.”

“You killed eighteen people.”

Rut shrugged again, didn’t offer up an excuse. “Are you here to kill me?”

“Well,” said Pleasant, “not us …”

Rut poured boiling water into twin mugs. “Milk?”

“No,” said Cadaverous.

“Sugar?”

“I changed my mind. I don’t want tea. I just want to get out of this decrepit shack before I start inhaling spores.”

Rut dropped the mug, and dived behind the counter.

“This is ridiculous,” Cadaverous muttered, going after him.

Rut emerged with a goddamn scimitar in his hand, a gigantic curved sword with an extravagant golden hilt, and he whirled that monster over his head like a madman and Cadaverous had to stumble gracelessly away to avoid being separated from his lower half.

For a heartbeat, Cadaverous thought Pleasant was just going to watch, but at the last moment the skeleton stepped in, diverting Rut’s attention. The blade swooped round and Pleasant ducked right then dodged left, barely keeping himself in one piece. He got some space between them and lobbed a fireball that Rut actually cut through.

Cadaverous straightened up. “I’m leaving!” he shouted.

Pleasant and Rut stopped fighting.

“I’m sorry?” Pleasant asked.

“I’m leaving,” Cadaverous repeated in a more dignified tone. “I’m going to go. You can continue fighting.”

“I’m not sure I get it,” said Rut.

“There’s no trick,” said Cadaverous. “I’m just going to walk out of here.”

Pleasant tilted his head. “What about our mission?”