‘Three years as a dog warrior, three at the most, and you will earn your freedom – and the freedom of your families! A Star cycle, that and no more. Perhaps even less.’ He paused again, willing to let the prisoners convince each other that it was worth it. Lilla was silent, not meeting the gazes of those either side of him, not answering their excited whispers. This was not hope. This was not the gift the warrior was making it out to be.

‘Upon your freedom, you will settle and build your home and your farm and you will tend your crops and fuck your lovers, make or adopt children, and live free beneath the glory of the song!’

Lilla closed his eyes and offered a prayer to the ancestors that Tayan would understand what he was about to do. ‘And what of those of us who have no families?’ he shouted and the plaza fell silent. Ekon came back to him, anger tightening his mouth. He saw the Feather decide he was a troublemaker. Oh, Feather Ekon, you have no idea.

‘What of those of us who have nothing to lose?’ he asked, a little quieter.

Ekon spread his hands. ‘Then you have everything to gain, do you not? Many a marriage has been made in the Melody. And if you have no family whose debts need paying to earn their freedom, why, then you will be free that much sooner. It has been done in five sun-years – slave to free. Five years. Think on that.’

Ekon stepped back and raised his arms. ‘You are warriors – prove to us your prowess, here and now, and commit to serve. Give our scribes the names and descriptions of your families and know that they will be safe under the song until your service is complete.’

Lilla was tempted to prove his prowess by crushing the man’s windpipe, but again he held himself still. Again he waited.

‘Groups of ten, split into pairs!’ Ekon shouted. ‘Show me your strength and skill; show me your footwork and your aggression. Those who fight well can join.’ He didn’t say what would happen to those who didn’t. He let the captives’ own imaginations supply answers, more varied and more horrible than whatever the truth might be, no doubt.

Lilla stepped forward with the first group and found himself facing Kux. The ancestors had a sense of humour, it seemed. The Fang’s face was closed and grim and when she attacked she came in hard and fast. Lilla let her, answering strike for strike, parrying her force and holding back his own. Kux was scared and she was desperate – Lilla would not shame her or risk her chance to join the Melody if that was her destined path.

When Ekon called the halt, all of the group was cleared to join the Melody. They formed a line in front of the scribes, breathing hard and wiping away sweat.

‘Name?’