‘There will be a reason. You know the Wild perhaps even better than I do. You know how it works. Everything has a cost.’

‘Even Crowflies?’

‘Especially Crowflies.’

Tal gave Sa-at a pointed look.

Crowflies has always looked after me. That’s how it is. Why does there have to be a reason? Why are these thoughts making me feel horrible?

Rochant turned his attention to Tal. ‘Will you go back to Sagan?’

‘I can’t, my lord. They exiled me.’

‘What was your crime?’

Tal hung his head. ‘My ears. They used to be normal but then we went deeper in than we should have and got caught by Spiderkin. When we came back, my ears looked like this. The elders said I couldn’t be trusted but it wasn’t my fault, my lord, I didn’t make any deals, I swear.’

Sa-at took his hand. ‘He’s with me now. We’re friends.’

Rochant nodded. ‘If you have no plans, why don’t you both come with me?’

They looked at each other.

‘Where are you going?’ asked Sa-at.

‘Home.’ Rochant looked up into the sky, then back to them. ‘Don’t answer yet. Think about it.’ He smiled oddly, a gesture to communicate something other than happiness. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’

Not long after that, he fell asleep.

Tal settled in next to Sa-at, who was grateful for the warmth. ‘This is brilliant. I’ve always dreamed of seeing a sky castle. It’s never dark there, and nothing of the Wild can get you. It’s safe. I mean all the time! Can you imagine it? We have to go. I’m going to go.’ He assumed a hopeful expression. ‘Will you come with me?’

Sa-at didn’t think about it for long. ‘Yes.’

They were both so excited that they hugged to celebrate.

When Rochant finally woke up, the two of them were sat watching him.

‘Yes!’ said Sa-at.

‘We’d be honoured to come with you, my lord,’ added Tal.

‘Good,’ Rochant replied. ‘But I should warn you, it won’t be easy. My enemies will be watching. To get past them will take cunning and courage. Tal, I need you to get us new clothes. I will die of exposure if I don’t get something better soon, and Sa-at’s clothing is too conspicuous. Can you do that?’

‘I don’t know, my lord. I don’t have much to trade with, and if they see my ears …’

‘Cunning and courage, Tal. Keep your hood secured and forward, nobody expects a Gatherer to do otherwise. As for the goods, if you can’t trade for them, take them.’

Tal gasped. ‘Steal?’

‘Yes. In desperate times, a servant of the Sapphire does whatever is required to save the house.’

‘But stealing is wrong, my lord.’

He doesn’t understand, thought Sa-at. This is bigger than clothes.