‘Why? The only thing you need to know about the—about that demon is to stay away from it, and to never say its name!’

‘I don’t know but it’s important. And, I made a promise.’

‘Can you break it?’

Sa-at’s face began to crumple. ‘No.’

‘What would happen if you did?’

‘I promised Murderkind I’d learn what the Corpseman—’ Tal flinched at the word ‘—is doing and in return it helped me to find you and save you.’

‘So you’re saying that if you don’t learn the stuff you need to, something would happen to me?’

‘Yes.’

‘Something bad?’

‘Yes.’

Tal touched his lobeless ears. ‘Worse than has already happened?’

Sa-at bit his lip. ‘Oh yes.’

‘Then we have to keep the promise. Together, yes?’

Sa-at nodded.

‘Okay then.’ Tal paused, frowned. ‘How are we going to do that?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘We could go to Sorn. Everyone says to keep away from it because the Corpseman is there. But if I needed to find it, that’s where I’d go.’

Yes, his friend was right. He should have thought of that himself. He made to stand up, and noticed Tal hadn’t moved. ‘Will you come?’

‘To Sorn? I … I’m not sure I can. The truth is I’m afraid. I mean, I’m afraid of the Wild, and I’m afraid of being alone but I think I’m even more afraid of the Scuttling Corpseman. How many times have I said its name now? You’re not supposed to say it more than three, or it appears. At least, I think it was three.’ He looked over his shoulder, just in case.

‘I’m afraid too,’ said Sa-at. ‘But …’ he trailed off.

‘But what?’

‘I’d be less afraid if you came with me.’

‘Well, I can’t go home, and I probably won’t last the day on my own, so … Okay, but only if you promise that we can forage on the way. I’m starving!’

‘I promise.’ Sa-at offered to help Tal up.

Tal lifted his hand but then seemed to notice Sa-at’s injury again and quickly lowered it, using his spear to lever himself upright. ‘Then it’s agreed. We’ll go to Sorn. Together.’

Vasin circled above Lord Quasim’s position, thoughts whirling. It had all gone wrong and the hunt had barely started. Yes, the Peridot Lord had found the first of the tributes, and yes, he had rushed to their side with impressive speed. But the tribute was dashing across a narrow strip of land surrounded by swamp. Any hunters that landed there would have a hard time taking flight again. Shapes moved within the swamp’s waters, most likely Murkers, but the mud-stirred surface was so dark that a variety of monsters could be concealed there.