Xessa turned back to the Swift Water and sucked in air as she stilled Ossa, smoothing his hackles with a shaking hand. She tried to contain her anger and failed; she roared at the water in defiance and rage and fear, sparking Ossa into a frenzy of motion. Ekka appeared in her vision and she sent both dogs out on a run to calm their jitters.

She opened the pipe joint and connected the mechanism, and then Toxte was there, his usual calm competence fled. His eyes when he reached her were spirit-haunted and wild; the magic was strong in him and a shock like this could send him into a spirit-daze – or even a rage. Xessa calmed herself – outwardly at least – and checked for the tell-tale hints of a spirit-borne fury building within him.

‘Are you hurt?’ he signed, propping his spear against his chest.

‘No. Take some deep breaths, Toxte. No one’s dead; the pipe is ready. Be calm.’ She squeezed his hand until it unclenched and he laced their fingers together. A little haunting left his face, a little colour returned to his cheeks. He nodded that he had the magic and the spirits under control and she breathed more easily.

Together they backed up the hill as Ossa and Ekka stood guard near the pipe. ‘Stupid bitch said she wanted to see the river,’ Xessa told Toxte when she was sure he was in control – and she was herself. ‘Drowned came up and sang and she nearly got us both killed. She slip past you somehow?’

The colour in his face changed rapidly again, this time flushing with embarrassment. ‘I didn’t see her pass the temple,’ he signed. ‘I’d never have let her distract you, I swear. She must’ve come the long way round.’

‘But why?’ Xessa demanded, her anger heating her again. ‘The fuck did she think she was doing?’

‘Xentib are all moon-mad,’ Toxte signed. ‘No wonder the Empire conquered them.’

Spite surged in Xessa’s heart – she understood now why the Yaloh held their former neighbours in such low esteem. Even so, it didn’t explain how the woman had got to the river’s edge undetected. She watched Toxte watching Ekka. He’d never let anyone approach an eja on duty, but maybe the magic was beginning to slow him. It took some ejab that way, even young ones, furring their decisions, slowing their reactions and capacity for clear thought. Perhaps Toxte’s time on the snake path was coming to an end.

‘Any news from Tika on when the Yaloh ejab will be ready?’ she asked. Toxte chewed the inside of his cheek and it was Xessa’s turn to blush – he could clearly see the path of her thoughts. His mouth thinned and she put her hand on his arm and squeezed an apology. ‘I didn’t mean it like—’ she began but he was already replying.