‘It’s a very old name,’ Sparhawk told him. ‘It’s been passed down through my family for generations. Some of my ancestors were men of note.’

‘Perhaps that’s where I heard it, then,’ Arasham mumbled complacently. ‘I’m delighted to have been able to re-unite two old and dear friends.’

‘We are forever in your debt, Most Holy,’ Martel replied. ‘You cannot imagine how I’ve hungered for the sight of Sparhawk’s face.’

‘No more than I hungered for the sight of yours,’ Sparhawk said. He turned to the ancient lunatic. ‘At one time Martel and I were almost as close as brothers, Most Holy. It’s a shame that the years have kept us apart.’

‘I’ve tried to find you, Sparhawk,’ Martel said coolly, ‘several times.’

‘Yes, I heard about that. I always hurried back to the place where you’d been seen, but by the time I got there, you’d already left.’

‘Pressing business,’ Martel murmured.

‘It is ever thus,’ Arasham lisped sententiously, his ruined mouth collapsing over the words. ‘The friends of our youth slip away from us, and we are left alone in our old age.’ His eyes drooped shut in melancholy reverie. He did not reopen them; after a moment he began to snore.

‘He tires easily,’ Martel said quietly. He turned to Sephrenia, although still keeping a wary eye on Sparhawk. ‘Little mother,’ he greeted her in a tone between irony and regret.

‘Martel.’ She inclined her head in the briefest of nods.

‘Ah,’ he said. ‘It seems that I’ve disappointed you.’

‘Not so much as you’ve disappointed yourself, I think.’

‘Punishment, Sephrenia?’ he asked sardonically. ‘Don’t you think I’ve been punished enough already?’

‘It’s not in my nature to punish people, Martel. Nature gives neither rewards nor punishment only consequences. ’

‘All right, then. I accept the consequences. Will you at least permit me to greet you and to seek your blessing?’ He took her wrists and turned her palms up.

‘No, Martel,’ she replied, closing her hands, ‘I don’t think so. You’re no longer my pupil. You’ve found another to follow.’

‘That wasn’t entirely my idea, Sephrenia. You rejected me, you remember.’ He sighed and released her wrists. Then he looked back at Sparhawk. ‘I’m really rather surprised to see you, brother mine,’ he said, ‘considering all the times I’ve sent Adus to deal with you. I’ll have to speak sharply with him about that – provided you haven’t killed him, of course.’

‘He was bleeding a little the last time I saw him,’ Sparhawk said, ‘but not very seriously.’

‘Adus doesn’t pay much attention to blood – not even his own.’