A drop of rain plopped onto the end of Sa-at’s nose, waking him up. It had been quite comfortable in the nook, nestled deep in the soft earth, and tucked away from the winds. They had all taken turns to sleep.

He looked up at the clouds and frowned. They hung low in the sky, overlapping one another, dark and darker. There was a malevolence to rain clouds that troubled him, and these seemed particularly vicious.

Tal was already gathering their things. It didn’t take long but by the time he was done, little spots were dampening their clothes. ‘May we carry you, my lord?’

‘Yes,’ replied Rochant.

Between them, they hefted him off the ground and set off. With Sa-at being smaller than Tal, and both of them smaller than Rochant, they made awkward progress. It bothered Sa-at that Rochant’s feet dragged behind them. It will leave a trail for his enemies to follow.

They sought shelter under the nearest trees, all three of them panting by the time they got there. Moments later, the spots turned to a shower, which then became a deluge. They’d had to put Rochant down, and his feet stuck out past the edge of their cover. Sa-at tried drawing up his knees, but they wouldn’t stay up. He was about to try crossing Rochant’s legs when Tal slapped his arm.

‘Ow!’

‘What are you doing?’ Tal whispered. For some reason it felt as if he was being told off.

‘Getting his feet out of the rain,’ Sa-at whispered back.

‘Ask first.’

Sa-at looked at him blankly.

‘They’re his feet, not yours. Ask him for permission.’

A grumpiness settled on Sa-at’s shoulders. While Tal was talking, Rochant’s feet were getting soaked. He was being nice and Tal had slapped him for it! It didn’t make any sense. ‘Can I move your feet out of the rain?’

‘My lord,’ added Tal in a whisper. Sa-at had the impression he was supposed to add those words. He slapped Tal’s arm instead.

‘Yes,’ replied Rochant.

It was boring waiting for the rain to stop. He desperately wanted to hear the next part of the Corpseman’s story and spent most of the time trying to think of an excuse to get Tal to go somewhere else. Then he felt bad for thinking that way about his friend, but it didn’t do anything to lessen his curiosity.

‘Do you both have plans for the future?’ asked Rochant.

Sa-at and Tal looked at each other, and then Tal shrugged.

‘I have to find out about the Corpseman,’ said Sa-at.

‘And after that?’

‘No.’

‘It’s time you started making them.’

‘Why?’ asked Sa-at.

‘Because that is the best way to get what you want. Nobody is just going to hand you the things you desire.’

‘Crowflies does.’

‘Interesting. Have you ever wondered why that is?’

‘No.’