‘I agree, and I think it’s a good idea …’ She was just building up to explaining why she couldn’t stay when her instincts caught the words before they left her mouth. She suspects me. If I leave now, I’ll appear even more guilty in her eyes, and neither of us can afford this fragile alliance to break. ‘But I can’t stay long. If I don’t get back to Arkav by morning difficult questions will be asked.’

‘Difficult questions?’ Nidra almost choked on the words. ‘I have suffered in ways you cannot imagine, and face my final death, and you’re worried about being given a hard time by your brother?’

Not my brother, she thought but did not say. Now is no time for pedantry. ‘My apologies. Let me go now and do as you suggested. I’ll come back and report my findings either way.’

She hurried off, not wanting to give space for things to sour further.

On a second viewing the tracks remained suspicious. Apart from the early stages near Sorn, there was no sign of dragging nor any indication that they’d set Rochant down to rest. Am I to believe they just marched the whole way with him on their shoulders like a sack?

And then she found it, a mostly covered footprint leading in a different direction. Now that she knew what to look for, she saw several signs of obfuscation that made it difficult to see the original footprints, but nonetheless created a followable trail of their own. Soon after, she found the tracks again. This is it!

However, the path led deeper into the Wild, deeper than she wanted to go without armour and company. If she went on, she would be putting herself at risk, and if anything happened to her, it would leave Arkav alone in Sapphire territory. He might break again, or worse, he might break someone else. She imagined him turning his back on his mission to come and find her, and all of the terrible consequences that would follow.

But I’m close to something here. If I leave, Rochant will get away and all of our plans will be for nothing. Nidra will die, Vasin will likely follow, and Rochant will be back at High Lord Yadavendra’s side.

The weight of responsibility was crushing on her shoulders. She felt the various factions wheeling about in her imagination, forces that she could influence but not control. Nidra needed her. Arkav needed her. And beyond them, the very balance between the Crystal Dynasties and the Wild was being threatened. House Sapphire had to be purged if the rot was to be kept from spreading elsewhere.

She looked up at the suns and was troubled to see them halfway towards the horizon. There were only a few hours until sunsdown, and only a fool stayed in the Wild after dark.

If I find nothing soon, I’ll have to turn back.