‘Thank you, my dear. I see you haven’t lost any of your usual eloquence.’

‘Shit. Sorry. It’s just you look like her until you talk. I didn’t think …’

‘Didn’t think what?’

‘That it would be this hard.’ He stared at her, then realized he was staring, then looked away. ‘She’s really gone, hasn’t she?’

Pari pursed her lips. ‘Yes.’

‘Right. I knew she had. It’s just seeing you now makes it real, you know?’

‘Can we talk about this on the move? I have places to go and people to see, and I need to rendezvous with my carriages before they reach Lord Rochant’s castle.’

‘Where are we off to? Ami didn’t tell me much beyond passing on your message to come here.’

‘Sorn. And I’d add that we’re running late.’

Varg took the hint and started to attach Glider’s harness, but when Pari went to climb onto the wagon, the Dogkin started to growl.

‘Calm down,’ snapped Pari, but Glider’s growl only deepened. ‘Varg, will you tell her that it’s me.’

‘I think she knows,’ muttered Varg under his breath. ‘That’s the problem.’

‘What did you say?’

‘Nothing. Come on Glider, calm it down, there’s a good girl.’ The growling continued and Varg took a deep breath. ‘Shut it, I said!’

Glider’s growl settled into a grumble.

‘Honestly,’ said Pari as she settled into the back of the wagon, ‘I don’t know why you put up with her. We could get another Dogkin.’

‘Not like her we couldn’t. She saved my life, and not just mine either.’ Varg’s face took on a faraway expression, causing Pari to roll her eyes.

‘I wondered how long it would be before you started mooning over her again.’

‘Fuck off.’

‘I think the words you’re searching for are “fuck off, my lady.”’

‘Fuck off.’

‘You’re still determined to go back to little—’

‘Don’t say her—’

‘—Chandni then?’

Glider threw back her head and howled.

‘What is it now?’

‘You said her name. Glider always does this when she hears her name. She misses Chand same as I do.’

Pari held up her hands. ‘Unbelievable. Can we go now?’

They both shouted at Glider until she settled, and then they set off, following paths that wove roughly parallel to the Godroad. Though few were brave or foolish enough to use the other paths, there were always some who preferred to travel unnoticed, enough that the way was mostly clear and easy to follow.

‘I trust,’ said Pari, ‘that Lord Taraka didn’t suspect you when you were in his lands?’

‘Nah.’

‘You’re sure?’

‘He wasn’t even there most of the time, and when he was, I kept out of the way.’

‘Let us hope that was enough.’

‘Mhn. So, once we get this business with Sorn over with, I’m coming with you to the castle?’