Puppy! Buddai’s big as a pony. The hound did look smaller, though, beside Laith. The giantling was on her hands and knees, hiding her face in her arms. Buddai was slapping at Laith’s arms with a paw, then digging to reveal Laith’s face. The giant laughed and rolled onto her back, Buddai licking her face.

Cywen dabbed at Pax’s wound with salt water. He winced but he did not pull away.

‘You’re sister to Corban, aren’t you?’ Pax said.

‘Aye,’ Cywen muttered, scrubbing the scab away, applying pressure to squeeze all of the pus out of the wound, and then bathing it in a salve that Brina had prepared. ‘What of it?’ She glanced up at Pax and saw a new look creeping over his face. Awe.

‘He’s going to kill Lykos.’

‘Is he?’ Cywen asked.

‘Aye. Lykos is evil, sure as the sky is blue. If there is an Asroth then Lykos serves him. And Corban’s the Bright Star – everyone says it. And look around: giants – Balur One-Eye stepping out of the faery tales. Jehar – they are the greatest warriors that have ever lived. A wolven as his guardian.’ He shook his head. ‘And he set us free.’ Something like adoration was in his eyes now. ‘Lykos tried to break me, made me less than a man.’

Are you old enough to be a man?

‘At first I did not believe we were free, thought it some twisted ruse for Lykos’ pleasure. Then, when I knew we were free, all I wanted to do was find somewhere to be alone, to live in peace, away from it all. To hide. But now, after listening to what your brother said, who he is. He will kill Lykos, he will win this war, and I will follow him.’ He was grinning at Cywen now, nodding fervently.

‘Well, I’m glad to hear that,’ Cywen said, not really knowing what to say.

He’s talking about my brother. Ban, whom I used to push into puddles. ‘You’re done,’ she said, standing. ‘Keep it clean. And don’t try to cut it off again.’

Laith laughed at that, then she hoisted Gorsedd to his feet and carried the injured man to his cot. Pax nodded his thanks to Cywen and stood, hovering.

‘Tell your brother . . .’ he mumbled. ‘Tell him us oarsmen, we owe him. And love him. He set us free.’

‘Tell him yourself,’ Cywen said. ‘Here he is now.’

Corban was walking along the deck, his wolven pelt pulled across his shoulders.

It is colder, suddenly, and this wind finds every gap there is.

Storm padded at Corban’s side. Her coat was slick with sea-spray, the markings that streaked her torso darker now they were wet. Thick muscle rippled along her chest and flanks as she walked beside Corban, her head almost as high as his chest.

She’s still growing.