He shook himself, the water spattering against my cloak. “If I did that, they would stop serving you food.”

“So you do understand about not taking things.”

He gave a little shrug as though he could barely be bothered to care. I should have requested a wagon – although I was sure Lin wouldn’t have granted one. A few farmers gave me curious looks, though I waved them on when they started to stop. I was in too foul a mood to be decent company for anyone, or to play my role as the folk hero of the Empire. And with an army on their doorstep, no one wanted to press the issue.

At last, where the fields met forest, I found a drinking hall I could regroup in. It was one of those places that looked larger on the inside than the outside, the windows with broad enough awnings that they could stay open during the rain. Inside, it smelled of fish, charred wood and spices. Both Mephi and I shook ourselves off at the entrance, and I hung up my cloak by the door.

“We’re closing up soon,” said the man behind the counter, his head down as he butchered a goat leg. And then he got a good look at me and Mephi. “Though you’re welcome to stay,” he said quickly. “It’s just – they say there will be a battle tomorrow morning. You… probably already know all about that.”

If I could have lived without Mephi at my side, I might have left him behind more often just to get a taste of my former anonymity. I let the comment slide. It didn’t seem the right time to let the proprietor know that no, I would not be fighting against the constructs – I would be headed to the docks and finding the first ship that would take me off Gaelung. I needed to get back to Imperial, to my own ship. If I could set my feet on its deck, I could figure out what I should do next.

I ordered some mulled wine, smoked fish and rice. There were no other patrons, all of them likely fleeing what would soon be a battlefield. The proprietor lingered after he brought my food, his gaze flicking to my rabbit tattoo as if looking for confirmation. “They say the construct army is enormous,” he said. Sweat beaded at his forehead.

He was looking to me for reassurance? I was ill-equipped for that. All of my ideals, my hopes that I could make this a life worth living without Emahla – dashed on the reefs. “Our Emperor is doing the best she can.” I tilted my head. “Why are you still here? I’m glad that you are –” I gestured at my plate. “– but shouldn’t you be inside the palace or down by the harbor?”