Darga sent gravely that he could scent tainted ground, too, but that it was not close by.

‘Maybe down there,’ I wondered, noting again how barren the ground was, save at the southern end, and reflecting on the unnatural symmetry of a perfectly circular pool of water forming in the centre of an immense, perfectly round hollow, with only that one area of fertile growth. Then I looked up at the sky, which had been darkening even since we had reached the edge of the valley. Returning my gaze to the valley I noticed that the Skylake had dimmed to grey, too. The valley and the silver-grey lake resembled a great staring eye and I was not sorry when, soon after I had set off around the rim, we found ourselves walking in a furrow which deepened until I could no longer see into the crater.

Rain continued to fall steadily for a good hour and then stopped. By this time, the defile had sloped further and I reckoned we were halfway down to the base of the valley. We had to clamber over two long sections of fallen stone, then the defile widened into a narrow canyon where we could again walk side by side. Glancing up I saw that the clouds had cleared after all, but it was evident to me that, even with no further delays, it would be well after dusk before we reached the southern end of the valley. So when the sun rose high enough to cast its light directly down into the canyon, I suggested a halt.

Only after I spoke did it occur to me that I had taken the lead and I half expected my companions to argue, but Darga merely acquiesced and Maruman said nothing. The dreamy vagueness in the old cat’s eye worried me and I prayed that the encounter with the wolves had not set off one of his fey fits. The last thing I needed was for him to go seliga along with the pack leader of the wolves.

I sat down and lay back against the wall of the runnel, using my hood to pillow my head. The slight warmth of the sun on my face was very pleasant, as was the heat Darga gave off when he lay down alongside me. Then Maruman climbed into my lap and curled to sleep and a feeling of simplicity and contentment overswept me, despite the fact that our supplies were with Gahltha, we had no blanket, no food nor any means of making a fire. In truth we had been fortunate that it had rained, for we had been able to drink rainwater that had pooled in depressions in the rocks, and refill the single gourd I carried. I doubted we would find any water until we got into the cirque and I could only hope the lake water was drinkable. It was hard to believe I had been so careless as to forget to take my pack when Maruman had dismissed Gahltha before we entered the wolves’ territory. That I had done so seemed to tell me something important about myself, for on past expeditions I had always been meticulous about such things.