Maruman was nowhere to be found by looking and my mind was not fit to farseek him. Besides, if he slept, he would be unreachable. I noticed a long lush strip of grass meandering across a clearing and when I came closer I saw there was a stream running through it. Reasoning that if the lake was clean, then the stream that ran into it must also be clean, I went and drank, then I stripped off my clothes and climbed into the water. It was deeper than it looked, coming up to my thighs, and very cold. I sank into it, gasping, and then I took a deep breath and ducked my head under, massaging the dust from it before standing up and shaking like a dog. I pinched some lemonleaf growing on the bank and used it for a thorough wash before drying myself with my sweaty shirt, pulling on my trews and jacket and buttoning it up. I twisted my hair into a knot and washed my shirt and underthings. I was shivering despite the sunlight now falling into the clearing, for there was little warmth to it, and the thought of the fire and some more hot soup was enticing, despite the fact that I would have to face Ahmedri again.

I set off back towards the lake but I had not gone far when I spotted Gahltha and Sendari grazing with Faraf and the tribesman’s mare, Falada. I went through the trees to them, and their heads lifted as they scented my approach. Gahltha gave a soft neigh and came over to me.

I put down my wet clothes and laid both cold hands and my cheek against his warm neck. The contact and the fact that he had entered my mind meant I need exert no energy to beastspeak them all.

‘I am sorry I did not beastspeak you a proper greeting earlier, but my mind is weary/weak,’ I told the others, who had trotted over as well. ‘I want to thank all of you for carrying those who came to help me.’

‘Greetings ElspethInnle,’ Sendari sent. ‘I am honoured to serve your quest to free beasts from their bondage to the funaga.’

I misliked his words, for the humans had been told the truth of my quest, if not the whole of it, but to ensure their aid, Atthis had been spreading a tale among beasts for years that I was a mythical Seeker from beastlegend, destined to free them from the tyranny of humans. Why they could not be simply told the truth of my quest, I did not know. It had been one of the things I had meant to ask Atthis, but now I would never have an answer. The only thing that kept me from exposing the lie to the horses now was the knowledge that it might cause them to turn from me, though my real quest was as important to beasts as to humans.