‘I’m all right. Not the man he was. Will someone just give me some thrice-damned food and a bed?’ In the cold night air, his rage had faded, evaporating on the breeze. The need to organize returned. He turned to address the group. ‘We can’t stay here. Whisp says that most who made it out have scattered, but this hill’s a fucking beacon and there are a lot of interested parties on the hunt for us. Hanging around here is going to get us involved in some uncomfortable conversations. We go into the forest tonight.’

Nobody disagreed. Lemon cleared her throat. ‘What about her?’ she said, with a nod to Brecki. The reaver was still sitting against her tree, watching the tower burn itself to ash with slack eyes.

Chel felt his sister’s gaze on him, felt the weight of responsibility return to his shoulders like a stone collar. ‘We can’t … we can’t leave her. This place could be crawling with confessors by morning.’

Lemon’s eyebrow was a perfect sooty arch. ‘You want to invite her along, wee bear? She may not eat much, but she’s a nasty fucken sort deep-down. I seem to remember her trying to kill you at least twice. Your choice if you want her as a travel-pal.’

Chel worked to avoid acknowledging Sabina’s stare. ‘I’ll … talk to her. Wait. We’re a little short on language overlap, remember? Not even you could get through to her.’

Kosh raised her head. ‘The white ghost can understand what you’re saying.’

‘You what?’ Lemon spluttered.

‘She smirked when you mentioned how terrible she is.’

‘Aye, you’re joking!’

Kosh frowned at this. ‘No. No, I am not. Only a very stupid person would find amusement in such a bland statement.’

Chel rubbed at his eyes. They still stung from smoke. ‘Everyone’s so full of surprises.’ He approached the reaver, who rolled her head just a fraction, her eyes pale and distant. ‘Brecki. We’re leaving here. You should, too.’ He scratched at his neck, which still felt too hot after the fire. ‘You can come with us. If you like.’

She gave no indication of hearing him, let alone understanding. Shaking his head, Chel returned to the group. He’d done the right thing, at least. He’d done the right thing.

The hunter Eka had remained on her knees, head bowed with one hand on the dead young man’s chest. Rennic stood over her.

‘You coming with us? No harm either way, but if so, we’re leaving now, and we can’t take him with us.’

She nodded, folded the young man’s arms across his chest, then placed a small coin over each eye. She wiped her eye as she stood.

‘Let’s go.’

As the group moved away, Chel walked beside Sab, who seemed uncharacteristically withdrawn. ‘Who was it,’ he said, ‘the dead guy back there? Do you know?’