As Raffi said it, she came round the corner of the lane: a large woman, wrapped in rough shawls, avoiding the puddles. She carried a small sack in her arms; it seemed heavy as she put it down and straightened, wearily. Then she saw them.

‘Be careful,’ Galen whispered.

‘You don’t need to tell me that!’

There was no way of avoiding her. The lane was deep, the hedges high on each side, spiny and tangled. They walked on, quickly, Galen’s staff sticking in the soft ground.

The woman waited, hands on hips. She probably had some weapon, Raffi thought. He put his head down and tried to look pitiable. As he was wet through and tired, that was easy.

‘Fine day,’ Galen said quietly as they came up to her.

The woman nodded; she looked at them both with a shrewd interest. ‘For travelling, it is. Have you come by the village?’

‘A different way.’ Galen rubbed his chin with the back of one hand, then he stopped, digging the stick in and leaning both hands on it. His long strings of black jet and green crystals swung in the pale light. ‘Can you tell me about the pathways hereabouts?’

She didn’t seem afraid. ‘I could. Where are you going?’

He hesitated. ‘The coast.’

‘It’s four days’ walk.’ She turned slightly, but still watched them both. ‘You should keep heading west. Make for that stone on the ridge up there.’ She pointed, and far off Raffi saw a tiny pillar on the skyline, dark against the clouds. ‘From there the track goes on, clear over the chalklands. Lots of old tombs up there – Sekoi country. I wouldn’t pass it at night.’ She scratched her neck. ‘But you may not mind.’

If that was a hint, Galen ignored it. ‘Where do we cross the river?’ he asked.

She laughed, shortly, then looked at him carefully. ‘Well upstream. Almost at the top of the valley. Half a day’s tramp.’

‘Isn’t there a nearer ford? Or a bridge?’

For a moment she said nothing. Then, strangely, ‘Oh, there’s a bridge, master. At the bottom of the gully. But no one can cross it. Take my advice and keep away from it.’

Raffi felt Galen’s interest. ‘Why?’

Instead of answering, she said, ‘We all fear the Watch, stranger, don’t we?’

‘Indeed we do,’ Galen said, very quietly.

‘Then listen. The bridge is a thing of the Makers’. Many have tried to cross it and can’t, that’s all I know. Go upstream.’ Then she almost smiled. ‘I see I’m wasting my advice.’

Galen looked at her steadily. ‘Thank you.’

‘Take care. If you were one of the old Order I might ask for your blessing.’

‘If I were one of the old Order I would give it.’