‘Mount Bara is erupting!’ he bellowed, up at the palace windows, where he knew the Brotherhood were watching and listening. ‘There’s only an hour or less to take shelter. If you stay here, you will die!’

That got their attention. He saw traces of movement beyond every window, like fish in deep water.

The main door opened again. This time Asa stood there 293himself, sword drawn. It was the first time Joe had seen him in full daylight, face to face. He was just an ordinary Norlander man, the same age as his father perhaps, with white bristle on his hollow cheeks. And yet Asa stood here, untouched, while Nestan lay buried in his own garden. What was Joe even thinking, risking his life for this man?

‘You’re in danger,’ he began. ‘You need to get everyone out of here.’

‘You expect us to believe you? I don’t know how you pulled that trick last night, sneaking past our guards, but we won’t fall for your lies.’ Asa had heavy brows, a sailor’s lined face and sun-bleached eyes, with that little boat-shaped scar underneath. He also looked exhausted.

‘I’m not lying,’ Joe said through clenched teeth. He felt for all that anger he’d been saving up, ready to tell Asa exactly what he thought of him. But now he reached for it, there was nothing there, except pity.

Asa raised one eyebrow. ‘Really?’

‘Hurry! Just leave, now. Even if you don’t want to follow me, you could take a ship – they say the open ocean is safer.’

That was the worst thing he could have said. Asa’s mouth turned up in disgust. ‘A ridiculous story. As if we would abandon the island now. Nice try, Thornsen. No. We have the palace, and we’re holding it. The dragons might have taken your sister back, but we are winning and you people are desperate.’

‘Asa, no. Look at the sky. You can see the warning beacons with your own eyes.’ Joe was pointing over his shoulder now, realising he was losing his attention. Was 294he really so unwilling to listen? Would Asa rather die than admit he was wrong? ‘And the histories are right there in the library – you can read for yourself how dangerous it is—’

‘No.’ Asa’s voice was flat and hard. His hand flew to the hilt of his sword. Then he sighed. ‘I’ll let you go, Joe Thornsen. You remind me of—’ He shook his head. ‘Never mind. It’s not your fault you’ve eaten up their lies. You could have been one of us. Remember that.’ And he reached out and put his hand on Joe’s shoulder.

For a moment, Joe held his gaze, and he felt sure he could reach him. No more people had to die. If he could just find the right words.

Then Asa pushed him hard.

295

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Joe fell backwards, right out of the doorway, breaking his fall with both hands. Pain shot up his wrists.