‘Shouldn’t we wait, my lord?’ asked Tal. ‘Let him rest a bit.’

‘Do you think my enemy will rest?’

Tal lowered his head. ‘No, my lord.’

‘Do you think they will take pity on us if they find us in this state?’

‘No, my lord.’

‘Then help him up and save your breath for the climb ahead. Trust me, you’ll need it.’

Sa-at shared a sympathetic look with his friend. What Rochant had said was true …

But I don’t like it. It feels wrong.

He couldn’t say why, and the thought soon floated away, replaced by the demands of travel.

They trudged along the Godroad, using its light to guide them. Rochant kept driving them on, determined to make the most of the darkness. Sa-at was more concerned about Crowflies however. The Birdkin refused to join them, flying about fifty metres parallel, and calling his name again and again, clearly distressed.

Eventually it landed, crowing but refusing to come any further.

‘We must keep going,’ said Rochant.

‘But Crowflies!’

‘Cannot go where we are going. It cannot use the Godroad.’

‘But I saw that big Dogkin use it.’

‘That’s different.’

‘Why?’

‘A Dogkin’s soul is part human, but Crowflies is as much demon as it is bird or fly. The energies of the Godroad would destroy it as surely as they purged your hand.’

‘But Crowflies is always with me.’

‘Not here,’ said Rochant. ‘You need to choose: stay with your demon or help me get back to my castle.’

Sa-at looked up. The castle looked even more beautiful up close. Gemslight glowed blue in the night from the battlements and windows. It softened the hard edges of the building, making it seem warm and magical. There would be people up there, all waiting to meet him as Rochant had promised. More than he could count. More than he could even imagine. Tal can’t manage on his own. Rochant’s need is greater than Crowflies.

‘I’ll come back soon!’ he shouted.

‘Sa-aat!’ protested the Birdkin.

‘I promise!’

‘Sa-aaaaat!’

He’d never heard Crowflies sound so sad before, and wiped a tear as he went away. He thought about the Birdkin many times as the road got steeper and steeper. Of course, it had left him to forage, but this felt different. Now there was a barrier between them, one only he could cross.

He also thought about the woman he’d seen.

I felt like I knew her.

I felt like I liked her.

I felt like she knew me!

If it hadn’t been for Tal, he would have said hello. He knew it wasn’t Tal’s fault but he couldn’t help but feel annoyed.