‘Not there!’ Analivia sent. ‘Here. I mean, they have almost reached the pass! I had barely got in place before I saw them below climbing up the spur. It was only sheer luck that the man did not look up and see me. I did not dare come back to warn you, for he would have surely seen me. I have been cowering in my hole willing you would farseek me in time. Elspeth, he will be there in minutes!’

I withdrew, and bade Swallow help Darga to hide in the hole we had prepared and to lay a blanket over it, for the man was about to come through the pass. The gypsy wasted no time in asking questions, and I farsent to Ahmedri. When he understood what had happened, he promised that he would return stealthily, since he could not now arrive before Dragon and her captor.

‘It may work in our favour, for once you have the man’s attention, I can move around and approach him from behind. The fire will ruin his night vision,’ he added.

‘Just be careful,’ I warned and withdrew.

Swallow returned to sit down, and shifting the soup onto the flame, he began stirring it vigorously to send out its enticing scent. I set aside the bread I had toasted and forked another slice to cook. Our plan was simple. We would offer the man a bowl of food, knowing that he would need both hands to hold it. But first he must be made to feel relaxed enough to believe we were no threat.

‘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.