‘A hundred have,’ Xessa signed and Lilla repeated it in a low voice for the Xentib. ‘Tika’s taking charge of their training and is giving them the magic one at a time. Sixteen failures so far. Two successes. And another eight who are deaf or partially deaf have joined. They only need a weaker type of spirit-magic or none at all, like me. It might eventually make up for the four we lost this last sun-year when the magic faded during their duty.’

She didn’t need to elaborate. Those ejab, knowing all they did of the Drowned, knowing everything, would have walked into the river with open arms to embrace the teeth and claws of their enemy. Tayan shivered and the rock walls seemed to grow colder and tighter around them.

Ten thousand Tokob kept safe by the efforts of one thousand ejab. And now two thousand Yaloh to add to the burden.

Every problem seemed bigger than the last. We’re losing two wars, not just one. We’re losing everything.

Still, a hundred Yaloh volunteers showed a huge shift in their guests’ thinking. Before fleeing to Tokoban, the Yaloh had lived in small, independent villages of no more than a hundred or so. They had gathered water exclusively from bamboo and water vines, which they cultivated in dense stands around their homes. They dug fire breaks and burnt back the forest half a stick from the edge of any water source, a warning not to approach within hearing distance. It was rare for a Yalotl to come to the Sky City and ask to take the snake path. If a drought came, they had always preferred to trade with the Tokob for the services of an eja – and to pay a stiff price in meat and jewellery – rather than take the risk themselves. Until now, anyway.

‘What did Eja Elder Tika have to say about what happened to you?’ Tayan asked.

Xessa grimaced. ‘That I’m going to get myself killed sooner rather than later if I’m not more careful. Not that there’s anything more I can do. Too many people, too many Drowned, not enough ejab. And it’s getting worse. Tika wants us doubling up whenever we can, but …’ Her hands fell still.

‘But there simply aren’t enough of you, and it takes time to recover from the spirit-magic.’

Xessa shrugged and nodded as a grimace twisted her lips. Sweat popped out on her brow; she’d need to rest soon. And she doesn’t need me making her more worried, Tayan reminded himself. He started to stand up.

‘Why don’t more of your people become ejab?’ Ilandeh asked. ‘Your warriors, at least, who already know how to fight? Why not ask them?’