‘What in hells is that?’

Rennic was already hauling on the rope, one foot against the palisade, testing its strength. To Chel’s relief, it was evidently not anchored on the slim arrow.

‘A wind marker,’ Rennic replied, unable to keep the glee from his voice. ‘Here, hold my staff.’

Chel did as he was told as Rennic began to heave himself up the wall, his breath sharp and heavy in the night’s sudden stillness.

‘It marks the wind? What’s it doing here? Why is there a rope with it?’ He paused. ‘Not that I’m complaining.’

Rennic reached the wall’s summit and threw one leg over, straddling it. He reached out a hand. ‘The staff, gormless.’ He was grinning in the silvery moonlight. He took the staff and Chel began his own climb. It was much harder than he’d anticipated. ‘One of Whisper’s tricks, if she was setting a trap or ambush without trees or similar. Shows you when the wind’s blowing, from where and how strong.’

‘Are … we … going to be … ambushed?’

‘No, little man, nine hells no. It just means she was here.’ He let out a contented breath. ‘She left this for us.’ He grabbed Chel and dragged him up alongside him, and for a moment the two of them sat, legs dangling, catching their breath as the black clouds rolled overhead. For all the moment’s peace, it was extremely uncomfortable.

‘Stroke of luck, us stumbling over it,’ Chel said at length. Rennic stared at him, dark brows crashed together in withering disdain.

‘Use your brain, little man. How many of these do you think she set?’

‘Ah.’

‘Yeah, ah. Now let’s get moving. This fucking wall is giving me splinters.’

***

They found packs beneath the trees, artfully covered but, as Rennic declared, easy enough to find if you knew what you were looking for. He was of the opinion that Whisper, presumably with Tarfel alongside, had tracked their capture and been confident enough of their eventual escape to leave means and provisions. Chel had to admit that his theory bore weight.

‘Do you think they’re still around, waiting for us?’

Rennic shook his head. ‘Whisp knows the plan, and she’s more professional than any. She’ll have set this and made for the meeting point. She wasn’t going to waste days waiting for us.’

‘She and Tarfel went cross-country, alone?’

The big man held his gaze. ‘Safest hands there could be.’

‘What about us, what now?’

Rennic shouldered one of the packs. ‘We’re miles behind where we should have been. We abandon the other stops and make for the Bridge House directly – if we get our pace up, we can still meet the others and cross the river together.’ He tightened a strap. ‘Let’s hope they’ve accomplished more than us.’

‘You think we can make it in time?’

Rennic swung the other pack up into him.

‘How fast can you run?’