Nidra’s face cracked for a moment, like a dam threatening to burst, and while Pari thought a good cry would do her the world of good, she also knew that the Sapphire were rather funny about such things, so she added: ‘It really is impressive how you’ve managed to live out here all this time. Even accepting Sorn is safe you still had to find food for two. However did you manage it, my dear?’

‘Vasin arranges food drops, and when that isn’t enough, I venture into the Wild and take what I need.’

She makes it sound so simple but the new lines in her face say otherwise.

Nidra’s vulnerability was shocking to Pari. Last they’d met, the woman had been unshakable, a force of nature. Now she seemed to be barely clinging on.

They arrived at a large grassy hill, with steep sides and a crown of silver birch. When she was here before Samarku Un-Sapphire had been growing out of one of those trees, as if somehow the tree had infected him, become a part of him. The thought of his tortured form made her shiver.

Almost guiltily, her gaze turned upwards. The angle was too sharp to see what, if anything, Nidra had left of the man, but she knew that before they left, she would have to see for herself. Perhaps that way she could banish the image of him from her thoughts and dreams.

Nidra picked her way up the hillside with an almost painful amount of care, and Pari had a sudden insight into what her life must have been like. She’s alone out here and on constant guard against the Wild and herself. Seeing the hill with new eyes, Pari was suddenly aware of all the places one could trip or slip, her imagination conjuring up a hundred different ways to sprain an ankle or break a bone, or open a cut.

That insight gave her a great deal of patience, even though she could feel time slipping away. It made her think of her brother and how fragile he was. Please let his mood hold until I get back. Please.

‘Here,’ said Nidra, drawing Pari’s attention to a small mound about halfway up the hillside. She began digging at it, scraping back the mud until a curve of smooth amber was revealed. Preserved within was the shadowy shape of a body.

‘They’re still here,’ said Pari sadly. ‘I wonder why the Corpseman did this. Do you think it’s a burial rite?’

‘No. Look closer.’