They have no iron, but they have water and air and, Phosyne thinks, flame. Flame.

“I need more information,” Phosyne says, slowly, “but I would presume its . . . dark down there?”

“More or less,” the girl says.

Strange. No time to consider it, though. “I can give you a candle,” Phosyne says, looking back to the girl’s face. “It will burn without ceasing. The wax won’t run out.”

“It’s a tight squeeze,” the girl says, but Phosyne can see a little light behind her eyes, eagerness, desire. Oh, yes, this might be enough to get a few nibbles. “How easily is it snuffed out?”

“It isn’t,” Phosyne says, lips twisting in a return not-smile. “Only water works.”

“Good,” the girl says. “Oh, very good. Here,” she says, and presses the bit of fruit to Phosyne’s lips at last.

She tries to chew it. It’s hard. It’ll take a bit of time, but she can just hold it in her mouth, let it soften, ooze. Her throat is so dry, though. She’s not sure she can swallow.

The girl takes out another bit of fruit, pops it into her mouth. Phosyne can’t help her pained whine, to see it disappear. But the girl holds up one finger, chews, and does not swallow. She just chews and chews and chews, and then she bends down and presses her lips to Phosyne’s. Phosyne’s jaw drops open in shock, and the girl’s tongue is there, pressing the sweet mush into her mouth, liquid with saliva.

Phosyne nearly chokes, but instead manages to swallow.

“Better?” the girl asks, sitting up. Her eyes sparkle in the dim light.

“Better,” Phosyne whispers, weakly.

“Good.” She pulls another few bits of fruit from the pouch, but doesn’t chew them, thankfully. Instead, she presses them into Phosyne’s palm. “Take your time getting up,” she says. “But try not to fall asleep, not until you’ve eaten it all. Can you get out of your tower again, once Ser Voyne has you back?”

“Probably not,” Phosyne says with a grimace.

The girl considers, then nods. “Right. Well, she’s not there now. Tell me where the candle is.”

“No,” she says, and tries to sit up. The girl moves to stop her, but Phosyne manages to get upright. Her head spins. “No, it’s not safe to go in there on your own. Help me up. Help me up and I’ll give you the candle, show you how to light it.” And Pneio and Ornuo wouldn’t have an opportunity to slip out and wreak further havoc.