Loveless’s eyes were on the Nort. ‘There is another ally in waiting, when things erupt in the south. Denirnas lies fallow, the black ships yet choking its bay, blockading the north. If we can make the trip, skirt north as our enemies turn south, and return that little monster to her people … threaten witchfire at Corvel’s defenders. Imagine the fresh panic across the north, across the wetlands, all the way to Roniaman. And as the panic takes hold, we enter the capital with a select force, and this time we make no mistakes.’ Chel saw her sharp look toward Rennic, its unstated meaning: This time, you don’t leave me outside.

‘You know the Norts aren’t who I mean.’

Loveless’s face became stone. ‘I will not go to that place, not in wrath and never in supplication.’

Chel blinked. ‘What? Where?’

‘A renowned army and impregnable fortifications, Ell,’ Rennic said, his eyes burning with intent. In Chel’s experience, he only called Loveless ‘Ell’ when he was trying to be persuasive. ‘No love lost between Corvel and the regime. As likely to feel threatened as any neighbour, as likely to raise arms. How can we not?’

‘I will not go there.’

‘How can you still be afraid—’

‘You’re the only coward here, Gar, to even think to—’

‘Where are they talking about?’ Chel mouthed to Lemon. She made a face, waved a hand. Later.

Rennic remained emphatic. ‘We need something concrete in the north, Ell. Too much is in the balance here – if one faction falls, or fails to rise when we need them, the whole plan shakes apart. We’ll be entering Roniaman in chains, our heads next for the pike road. Then Corvel and his confessors sweep the south, eradicate resistance, roll over the east on their way to the next conquest.’

The east. Barva. Suddenly Chel felt the tightness return to his chest, a squeezing of his ribcage. The confessor army would travel through his home. Would Sab be there, fists raised at their oncoming, crying defiance with her own partisans at her back? He shut his eyes against the thought.

‘You all right, little man? Something you want to add?’

Everyone was looking at him. He swallowed, shook his head. ‘Just … Just that we need to see this through. We need to do what’s right.’

Loveless met his gaze. ‘We will.’

Rennic cracked a weak grin. ‘Or we don’t get paid.’

‘You know,’ Lemon said, ‘it’s almost enough to make you miss friend Spider. Always reckoned he could get to anyone, that fella, with a plague beggar if necessary. Fancy we could have set him on Corvel and retired, eh?’

‘Fuck Spider,’ Rennic snarled.

‘This is about more than just the man,’ Loveless said, her eyes still on Chel. ‘This is about the system, the engine. We have to pull it apart, or the next henchman down will simply pick up the reins.’