‘That’s the most ridiculous name I’ve ever heard.’

‘My thanks, Bear of wherever the fuck you’re from.’

‘And what about you?’ Rennic stirred under Chel’s stare, but didn’t flinch or fidget. ‘Where does “Gar Rennic” come from?’

‘My mother,’ he said, black eyes unblinking in the lamplight, and Chel let his gaze fall away.

‘Come on then, wee bear. Spill your guts. What makes you bearly?’

‘Fine, fine. When Sabina, my sister – she’s younger than me by a few years – was little, she couldn’t say her Vs, couldn’t pronounce my name.’

‘Which is?’

‘Vedren. Hells, Lemon, you knew that.’

‘Aye, right you are.’

‘She’d try to say “Vedren”, but it would come out “Bedren”, if even that. She was a lazy sow, only bothered with the first syllable most of the time, so mostly she called me “Bear”. My f—’ His throat caught, and he took another swig of Special Drink before continuing. ‘My father … he was quite tickled by it, started calling me the same. His little bear. Even once my sister was grown, and had full control of her speech … for better or worse.’

‘Well, that,’ Rennic said, lip curled over his cup, ‘was disappointingly anodyne.’

‘You asked. I told you.’ Chel took another swallow, emptying his cup. Something fizzed within him. ‘Lennon of Clyden, eh?’

Across the table, Lemon shrugged. ‘It’s really quite a common name where I’m from.’ She looked momentarily wistful. ‘You know, when I thought maybe we might go back – to Clyden, that is – I had the strangest feeling. Like, like, I wanted to, but I didn’t want to. Like I never expected to.’

‘But you’re a, what was it, tourist, right?’ Chel paused. ‘What is a tourist?’

She shuffled back in her cushions, assuming her posture of great lecturation. ‘Ah, well, the tour is a grand tradition of the Clydish youth, especially among those at the upper end of the social dynamic.’

‘You’re a princess?’

‘Am I fuck. Kind of the opposite, as it turns. My touring was … uncommon.’

‘Wait, what’s a common tour?’

‘Aye, you know, go out, see the world, experience different peoples and places, enhance your linguistic acumen, expand your mind and horizons. Very standard stuff. Important part of attaining adulthood, course, but … basically a grand old adventure for a young up-and-comer, under careful chaperon. They head for the continent, pootle around Amistreb or Shenak, poke at the old buildings and imperial relics, buy up some souvenirs for the trip home, to show off how much they saw and how much they grew – or how many forgers they enriched on their travels.’

Chel leaned closer, the cup tight in his hands. ‘What about family, though, duties? Obligations?’