‘The wolves have the ability to discern less badly tainted ground and if we do go that way, I am sure they will find a safe path,’ I said, more confidently than I felt. I glanced at Darga, noting that he was stretched out by Analivia. I wondered if the ice with which he had surrounded his heart was beginning to melt. Certainly it seemed to me that he was drawn to the lowland woman, and more than once I had noticed her absent-mindedly stroking his great ugly head.

Maruman appeared and came padding across to settle himself on my knee. I suppressed a rush of relief that he had not been hurt when the talus had fallen apart, and quelled the urge to stroke him, knowing that it was like to see me bitten if he was in a truculent mood.

‘What is it?’ Dameon asked curiously, sensing me making a decision.

I told them all that had happened as I slept. They listened in stunned silence as I spoke of the dreamtrails and of the high realm of spirit, where Straaka had come to tell me about Miryum and the oldOnes. It took a long time to explain about the dreamtrails and the mindstream and about shaping a conscious spirit-form that could journey in dreams and in other ways. I did not complicate my tale by telling them about the attacks of the H’rayka but I did tell them that both Gahltha and Maruman could travel the perilous dreamtrails.

‘But you speak of dreams,’ Analivia said, sounding fascinated. ‘What peril could there be in dreams?’

‘The dreamtrails are not dreams but a realm where the spirit has the feel and substance of flesh, and any harm taken there will cause a corresponding wound to the flesh.’ I glanced at Ahmedri who had barely moved a muscle since I had mentioned his brother.

Now he asked in a stiff voice, ‘What said my brother when you told him that I was with you?’

I shook my head apologetically. ‘It was all so strange that I did not think of telling him about you until it was too late.’ I hesitated. ‘I am sorry that I tried so hard to make you stop following me, Ahmedri, for it seems I was wrong. The overguardian saw and spoke true. You will come to Miryum by following me. Unfortunately, I still don’t know exactly where she is, though it seems very likely that she is being held in this city that she and Jacob dreamed about, that we now know lies beyond glowing Blacklands on a white untainted plain to the north-east.’

‘You said Rheagor’s ancestor was taken captive by the efari,’ Analivia said. ‘If Miryum was also taken captive is it not likely to have been the efari who took her, too?’

It was well reasoned and I nodded slowly, wondering why I was always so suspicious of simple or obvious answers.