‘Either way, Lem, it’s fair to say they weren’t expecting to meet friendlies. Our new bosom chum Brecki appears to have smoothed things over.’

‘She has promised us as great weapons for her queen,’ Kosh muttered. ‘Including a … wizard.’ She spat the last word.

Lemon was outraged. ‘You can understand them? How can you fucken understand them?’

Her gaze flicked to Lemon and away. ‘Honestly, I am appalled that you cannot.’

Chel crouched before Kosh. ‘Can you talk back to them? Translate for us?’

The Nort looked appalled. ‘Is it not enough that I sully my tongue with your mud-speech? Leave me be. Leave me to my … wizard tricks.’

Loveless put a hand on Chel’s shoulder. ‘You all dried out, cub? You’re still shivering.’

‘You’re just twitching with excitement, eh, wee bear? Besides, splash of cold water’s good for the muscles, you’ll be in better shape than the rest of us come morning.’

Chel offered a tight smile and excused himself, with reluctance. He dreaded to think what shape they might all be in come the morning. Brecki’s return and his sudden rescue from the frigid lake had been such a welcome shock that what had followed had passed in a blur; baffled, angry conversations between Brecki and their would-be murderers, a forced march, Chel still wet and shaking and half-carried by muscular reavers, from the lakeside down to the jagged coast, bundled into waiting Horvaun vessels and carted across the black water to wherever this demonic harbour lay. He’d at least had a chance to change his clothes once they were aboard and under sail, but it seemed impossible he would ever feel warmth again in his frozen bones.

Tarfel remained huddled beneath his cloak, curled beyond the mast. He’d been silent since the giant reavers had marched them down to the boats, keeping the lowest of profiles. He looked up at Chel’s approach, tried to muster a smile.

‘Ah, Vedren, how do things look?’

‘We’re coming into harbour. The landscape looks like it’s on fire.’

‘Jolly good, jolly good. Are we prisoners, do you think? It’s hard to know exactly.’

‘I wasn’t aware that Horvaun reavers took prisoners, highness, so your guess at this stage is as good as mine.’

He nodded, smile cracked. ‘Then let us try some old-fashioned diplomacy, and turn the screws against my brother yet.’

‘C’mon, you dour sods,’ Lemon called across the boat, ‘we ain’t dead yet, that’s something to celebrate, eh?’

‘It’s all right for you, you’re back among your people,’ Rennic retorted.

‘Ah, piss off!’

‘Evil days,’ muttered Foss, as the boat bumped against the pier.

***