‘That was when I named it the Scuttling Corpseman. When the defenders of Veren came running, they saw her body, me standing next to her, and the shape of my friend as it fled. I had to explain how she had died and why I was there. I made up a story that I was courting Jes and we’d sneaked away from our duties to have some time alone together. The elders believed me, but they were most unhappy. They called for a hunt, and I was put forward to be one of the tributes. But that’s a different story.’

‘You called it the Scuttling Corpseman because it has bits of dead body on it?’

‘Yes.’

‘And because it walks in a funny way?’

‘Yes.’

Sa-at was quiet for a while. He couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Also, the suns were going down and Tal hadn’t returned. I should have gone with him. I should not have left him alone. If bad things happen to my friend, I will feel it forever in my stomach.

The feeling of foreboding would not go away. Sa-at wanted to go and look for Tal, but knew he could not. To do so would be to abandon Rochant, and he was helpless. Whenever they heard a noise, he sat up, peering into the gloom. He became aware that Rochant was watching, bemused, and his mood soured further.

‘I didn’t like your story.’

‘It wasn’t for you to like or dislike. It was to provide you with information about the Corpseman.’

‘And you lied.’

‘I promise you, it was all truth, told for the very first time.’

‘You said that its name was important and it wasn’t.’

Instead of looking offended, Rochant looked – Sa-at struggled to identify the emotion from his placid expression – pleased? ‘Are you sure? Its name is connected to its weakness. I’d say that was important.’

‘You told me about the holes in its body before the name.’

‘What does that suggest to you?’

Sa-at shrugged. ‘That you lied?’

‘Or?’

‘That it’s important that the Corpseman has a funny walk.’

‘Or?’

‘Those are the reasons. You said those are the reasons. You said so!’

‘You suggested those were the reasons, not me. I agreed that they contributed to the name.’

‘There’s another reason?’

‘Yes.’

Sa-at wanted to shake the man in the way a Dogkin shakes its prey. ‘Why didn’t you say? You should have said!’

‘Because if you work it out yourself, it will mean more to you.’

‘You tried to trick me!’

‘Perhaps a little.’

‘We made a pact. You swore!’