Elowen, to the others’ surprise, knelt on one knee before the cat-thing and bowed her head. ‘Please forgive us, noble kittimew,’ she said. ‘We are on a dangerous mission that has forced us to leave the city. We must travel through your lands on our quest north. With your permission, of course.’

‘Dangerous mission?’ said the kittimew, its tail twitching. ‘Tell us what this mission is.’

‘I don’t really think that’s any of your business,’ said Liska. ‘Just leave our signs alone and let us through.’ She gave her cloak a swish to show she meant business, but the kittimew only wrinkled its nose.

‘You will tell us,’ it said. ‘Or you’ll never find your way through the boulder walk. We will make sure you is walking round and round it forever.’

Liska began to growl but Elowen held up a hand to stop her. Instead of arguing, she told the kittimew all about Noxis and Bitterblight, about how the Undrentree was under threat and that they were hoping to bring back the heart of Nammu to save it. She even mentioned the fact that Thresher was pursuing them with orders to kill.

All through her speech, the kittimew watched Elowen closely with its gleaming yellow eyes, not moving so much as a whisker. When she had finished, it stood silent for a few minutes more, deep in thought.

‘If the humies want to pass, we will show them the way. But only if they let us come on the adventure with them.’

‘What?’ Liska couldn’t believe it. ‘Why do you want to come along? What has the Undrentree got to do with you? You live on a cliff next to a dump!’

‘And what does he mean by “us”?’ added Lug. ‘Just how many talking cats does he want to bring?’

The kittimew opened its mouth and let out a hiss, then raised a paw towards Lug with claws flexed out. It was probably some kind of serious cat insult.

‘Just me, you pasty fool,’ it said. ‘And the Undrentree is where all kittimew came from. We would give our lives to protect it. Also I is very bored – as I mentioned earlier – and a good adventure will give me something to talk about at the next yowling.’

Elowen got to her feet, brushing down her dress. ‘Well, I think that would be a lovely idea,’ she said. ‘A guide down from the mountain, another comrade and the chance to learn more about the kittimew way of life. What do you say, Liska?’

‘Well,’ said Liska. ‘I suppose I don’t mind.’ If the kittimew became too annoying, they could always run off and leave it. Perhaps with Lug for company.

‘Excellent,’ said their new companion bowing deeply and swishing his tabby-striped tail. ‘I shall show you the path through the boulder walk and down to the mistless lands.’