‘Okan was inconsolable of course, and we kept him on to help with odd jobs because he was sweet-natured and willing and strong but most of all because he was so helpless. Then one day we discovered his mother had spoken true. He had hands with true healing power when massaging and manipulating bones and joints. No doubt the old woman had been well eased by them in her time and of course we are glad to use his skills. I only wish he would not call me master.’

‘I think the title is not unfitting given your work at the Healing Centre,’ I said, fascinated by the tale, and wondering what ship Okan had fallen from, and where he had come from, for I was suddenly sure that he was not Sadorian nor even Gadfian, but from one of the other many small settlements scattered about the world, which were remnants of greater civilisations in the Beforetime. I wondered, too, what Roland would make of Okan’s skills, for there might be an element of Talent in them.

Rushton came over to greet the beasthealer, and Darius said, ‘If you will permit it, Master Rushton, I should like to examine Miky while I am here. Roland scribed of her condition to Kella and we were thinking we might try to apply some of the new methods Sover has developed during his treatment of the damaged minds of the shadows on Herder Isle; a combination of coercion and empathy mostly, but used as a healing tool. It was Sover’s suggestion that this sleep of Miky’s might have come about because of her grief and guilt over her brother’s sickness, which she has suppressed. Certainly it seemed too much of a coincidence to all of us that she would develop an illness that so closely mirrored her brother’s condition.’

‘I would be glad if you can find a way to help her, my friend,’ Rushton said seriously. ‘Roland is at his wits’ end. And he would certainly like to hear more of Sover’s research. I am sure he will be irritated to have missed your arrival and will come searching for you as soon as he hears of it.’

As they went on talking, my gaze drifted to Kella, who was now greeting Cinda and Elkar. I guessed they had encountered one another at Dardelan’s residence in Sutrium, for the Norselanders had been his guests and Kella went there often to consult with the young high chieftain; they had also probably gone to the centre to deliver their missive from Sover. Rushton moved on to speak with Linnet and I turned back to Darius.

I was startled to find the gypsy studying me with that queer half-unfocused gaze that told me he was looking at my aura. I had not realised the crippled beasthealer possessed that ability, and before I could make up my mind to ask what he saw, he said, ‘You have been with one of us recently.’