Vasin forced a hard march along the Godroad back to the Ruby High Lord’s castle, desperate to discharge his duty and return to his mother. As soon as they’d dropped off the tributes at Fourboards, he’d moved them on again, allowing only the briefest time for the elders to offer thanks. Quasim made his disappointment about this clear, but Vasin ignored him, too wrapped up in his own thoughts to indulge egos.

We’ve been plotting all this time focusing on Rochant and never once thought that the Corpseman might be acting outside of Sapphire lands. It’s had sixteen years to prepare! Perhaps longer. Perhaps it’s been working on this for generations. I have to get back to mother and face Rochant again. Together, we can get the truth out of him.

‘Lord Vasin!’ called Quasim. ‘Slow down, my courageous friend.’

‘No, we keep this pace.’

The Peridot Deathless gestured to the bedraggled line behind them. ‘I’m not sure all of us can.’

One look at the hunters showed Quasim was right. Many of them were caked in mud from head to toe, moving awkwardly from injuries sustained during the fight in the swamp. Lord Lakshin trailed at the back, though Vasin suspected that was partly to avoid his gaze. The Opal Deathless had said little since the battle but there had been a marked change in attitude. Gone was his sneer and air of superiority, replaced with a frosty politeness which did little to hide his shame.

I’ve seen him now and he knows it.

With a sigh, Vasin stopped. ‘I’m going on ahead and ask that you take my flight of hunters under your care.’

‘But why? Why the rush? We should walk together, sing together, enjoy the shared glow of our victory.’

‘You call this victory?’

Quasim laughed. ‘Of course! Have you ever seen so many Murkers in one place? I haven’t.’ He slapped Vasin on the arm, the peridot gauntlet chiming merrily against the sapphire bracer. ‘Yet we dispatched them, in style, saved both of the tributes, and took down a Weeper. A great day indeed. And here was me worried that a late morning hunt would scare off the prey!’

‘It’s true, but we were careless in our duty. We outnumbered them but lost four Ruby hunters.’ Hunters Anuja entrusted to me, he added silently. ‘And how many of your own are fit to fly again tomorrow? How many of Lord Lakshin’s? I look down that line and see tired faces, bruised bodies and chipped wings. What if another hunt is called for? What numbers could we field then?’

‘You underestimate the Peridot spirit, Lord Vasin. My hunters will fly whenever they are needed.’

‘And Lord Lakshin’s? They fell from the sky with the grace of hailstones. It’s a wonder they’re alive.’

‘Hmm, well, I can’t speak for them,’ he added hastily.