‘We should not sit here in silence,’ Swallow said in a low voice. ‘It does not matter what we say, for the wind will stop him hearing clearly, but the sound of voices will reassure him that we are not setting a trap. Make sure you are sitting at an angle that lets you watch the pass out of the corner of your eye.’ He glanced up at the sky, which was black, save for a thin place in the cloud cover where the moonlight could shine through.

‘I can just see it,’ I said.

‘Remember, if he is affected by taint poisoning, as you suspect, his reactions and wits will be slowed, but he will be nervous and unpredictable, too,’ Swallow warned.

‘As soon as I think he is distracted enough, I will beastspeak Darga. When he leaps out, you must move instantly and get Dragon away. Nothing else matters.’

‘What if he attacks you?’ Swallow asked.

‘I, Marumanyelloweyes / Moonwatcher, will protect ElspethInnle,’ Maruman sent, and he lifted his head to glare at Swallow, baring his teeth and uttering a low growl.

‘I, Gahltha Daywatcher, am here, too, ElspethInnle,’ Gahltha sent, and he tapped his hoof twice on the stone and snorted.

‘I just wish we knew what he wanted,’ Swallow said after a small silence. ‘I can accept he might know where you are because of Dragon. But that does not tell us why this man wants you so badly that he would risk taint poisoning.’

‘Maybe he wants a hostage,’ I said.

‘Surely the girl would make a perfect hostage if that is all he wants,’ Swallow said.

I was studying the blanket-covered stone on the other side of the fire, where we had reckoned to seat our visitor. It was facing the fire and it would put him side-on to Darga’s hiding place. No matter how closely he held Dragon, he would have to loosen his grip if he would sit, and when Darga leapt out, he would be facing away from Swallow, giving the gypsy a chance to leap at him unseen.

‘Once we have him, we will bind him with his own filthy leash, and find out what he wants,’ Swallow muttered. ‘Do you see him yet?’

‘No,’ I said, but then the moonlight shone down fleetingly and I saw a dark shape at the pass. ‘Yes,’ I said.

Swallow immediately began a rather stilted treatise on the best woods for carving. I hardly heard him, for my whole mind was on the pair moving softly towards us, shadows in darkness. I kept my eyes on the bread I was toasting, not wanting the man to have any reason to fear he had been seen. I dared not try to farseek Dragon lest she do or say something that caused her captor to hurt her. Then the hulking form of a man stopped dead at the edge of the hollow, and I farsent to warn Swallow who leaned forward to stir the soup. He was still talking, but I could not take in a word of it, nor muster any response. Every part of me was focused on the man swaying at the edge of the hollow. I could just see that he was holding Dragon close against his side, one arm wrapped around her and the rope wound about his hand to shorten it. As he began to move down into the hollow, moonlight showed again and glinted on the knife he held in his free hand.