‘Don’t look at the windows either,’ said Nayl.

‘Yes,’ said Drusher, looking at the plain white wall instead.

‘They’re not here,’ said Nayl. ‘They should have been on the other side of this wall if…’

He sighed, as though it were too much effort to finish, or too distressing to explain the context.

‘What does that mean, Nayl?’ Drusher asked.

‘It means we didn’t bi-locate together,’ said Nayl. ‘Or we did, and we didn’t arrive in our relative positions. Or we’re not time synchronised. Or–’

He glanced at Drusher.

‘I’m just upsetting you now, aren’t I?’ he asked.

‘No, I’m fine,’ said Drusher.

‘You sure? You made a noise. A sort of groan.’

‘No, I didn’t,’ said Drusher.

‘I think you did.’

‘I think I’d know.’

‘I don’t think you would.’

‘Nayl–’

‘All right,’ said Nayl. ‘This is a difficult experience, and your mind’s not really focused yet. I can see the lost look in your eyes. That’s all right. You’ll get your bearings. But it’s possible you groaned without knowing it, because this is all too much to take in.’

‘Are you finding it a difficult experience?’ asked Drusher.

‘Yeah,’ said Nayl.

‘Then you’re hiding that well. Has this happened to you before?’

‘Not this exactly, no.’

‘Then something like it?’

‘I’ve had experiences,’ said Nayl. ‘Things like this that would scare you bloodless. But not this exactly.’

‘How do you deal with it?’

‘I’ve been dealing with it for years,’ said Nayl. ‘One thing I’ve learned, if you don’t deal with these kinds of situations quickly, you’re no good to anyone, including yourself.’

‘Insane adventures…’ murmured Drusher.

‘Exactly, magos.’

‘You weren’t lying.’

‘No,’ said Nayl. He flashed a quick smile that Drusher took as an attempt to be supportive. ‘For your sake, Drusher, I wish I had been.’

‘What do we do, Nayl?’ Drusher asked.

‘We keep looking. We keep looking for the others. It’s about all we can do.’

‘What about… Can you not say the word again? The word Eisenhorn said? Can’t you take us back?’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Nayl. ‘I don’t know what he said either. Enuncia is beyond my pay-grade.’

Drusher breathed heavily and nodded. He walked over to the windows.

‘What are you doing? Magos?’

Drusher stood on tiptoe and looked through the stained glass. Nayl pulled him back.

‘Don’t do that,’ he said. ‘It made you cry last time.’

‘That’s why I have to,’ said Drusher. ‘You’re right. I’m lost. My mind’s all over the place. I’m not really coping. Which means I’m no use to you at all. The sooner I face up to reality and get it together, the better. Think of this as… aversion therapy.’

Nayl frowned, then let go of him. Drusher stood back up on his toes.