She shook her head. ‘It came from the lower cellars. It’s usually where they keep the brandy … Shepherd’s tits, there were dozens of barrels down there … It cracked the wall, Bear. Did you see? It cracked the citadel wall!’

The Widowgate hove into view, a dark and stubby thing festering in the brutal New Wall. Rennic stepped ahead of them. ‘Who has silver? Anything valuable?’

Chel gave him an even look.

Tarfel slapped at his cloak. ‘I think I have a token somewhere, it’s a trifle really—’

Rennic waved him away. He slung the re-wrapped glaive at Chel, then stalked off toward the gate guards. The others huddled in the faint shadow of a workshop.

Chel found himself standing beside the little Nort. He looked down at the heavy sack, then found the Nort gazing up at him, a glare of challenge. ‘So, er,’ he coughed, ‘they let you keep all that alchemical stuff close to your cell? That was … er …’

The Nort said nothing, holding his gaze with unblinking eyes.

Rennic stepped out from the shadow of the gate and waved them forward. They hurried through, hoods down, while the guards studiously looked the other way.

‘What did you offer them?’ Chel asked as Rennic took back the glaive.

‘Promises,’ he said. ‘And we’ll be long gone before they realize they were dust.’

‘Ain’t that the way,’ Chel said. He was very tired. And hungry. Very hungry. ‘Does anyone have any food?’

***

The Shanties still reeked of smoke and soot, parts charred black and broken from Spider’s fire. Their ill-starred entry to the city seemed so long ago now. They crept through the winding labyrinth of nominally temporary structures, snow and charcoal crunching underfoot. Water dripped from somewhere, always seeming to be both ahead and behind. They saw no one.

‘What are you going to do about the prince? He can’t go back, can he?’

Sab was beside him again, her hand on his arm, helping him around a blackened spar as his stride faltered.

‘No. Not after that.’

‘And nor can I.’

‘No.’ Chel realized that he was feeling relief, a great wash of sensation, an unwinding knot of tension. His fingers tingled from it. He was free, and his sister was safe. ‘No, you can’t go back there.’

She grunted, and they walked on in silence for a time.

‘How did you get into this mess, Bear? Last time I saw you, you were in the favour of two princes, destined for great things. Why do I next encounter you as a condemned traitor to the crown? Did you get very drunk?’

‘We … I think we made things worse.’ He swallowed. ‘But what about you?’ He felt anger rising in his voice, now they were free, now the immediate danger had passed; a hot, raw frustration born of ignorance and insecurity. ‘You were a fucking Rau Rel spy? Did you consider for a moment the risk—’