“We have thousands counting on us now.” Savine watched Lord Isher and some long-bearded chieftain shake hands with immense dignity. “We must look to the future.”

“That’s what I’m all about. But what could we savages have to offer civilisation?”

“Civilisation just finished a round of slaughter to make the Bloody-Nine blush. The North has some remarkable natural advantages—”

“You said the same about me, when I last came to Adua.”

“And time has proved me more right even than I knew. When Leo and I travelled across the North last year—”

“To betray me to Stour.”

“Exactly—before you betrayed us both—I saw vast forests ready to be given over to the saw. Great marshes ready to be drained and brought under the plough. Hills rich with coal and iron scarcely mined. River after river surging swiftly to the sea, begging to be channelled, dammed and harnessed by waterwheels.”

“You saw opportunities.”

“I may have no beautiful runes upon my face, but I can look into the future, too, in my own way.”

“Savine o’ the Long Eye.” Rikke thoughtfully stuck her bottom lip out, glancing towards the wall of the Agriont, beyond which a set of chimneys were still puffing vapours even as the sun set. “So you could help me do to the North what you lot have done to Adua?”

“I could help you do to the North whatever you want.”

“For a price.”

Savine smiled her sweetest smile. The one she had always used to seal deals. “For our mutual benefit. I do give the best gifts.” And she slid a gentle fingertip under the emeralds Rikke wore, weighed them a moment, then laid them gently back against her skin. “But not only out of kindness. I freely admit I greatly underestimated you.”

“Oh, you didn’t come out of it too badly. Stour Nightfall did the same and he’s hosting no garden parties, I promise you.” From a few strides off one would have taken it all for good-natured blather. But there was an edge on Rikke’s every word. A conversation with her was a cake full of razors.

“You proved yourself a cunning and resourceful enemy,” said Savine. “When I am lucky enough to find one of those, I do everything I can to turn them into a friend.”

“That’s nice to hear, from someone as cunning and resourceful as you. Nothing would warm my heart more than your friendship, but… it’s not my heart that brought me here.” Rikke tipped up her chin, looking down her nose at Savine, then reached behind her head and nudged her hat forwards so the brim cast her eyes into shadow. “My head holds a worry… when it comes to looking to the future…” That twinkling left eye slid over to Leo, frowning at the festivities with grim detachment. “I’m talking to the wrong half of the marriage.”

When Savine offered a gift, she was used to it being accepted. She never offered one until she was sure it would be. But she kept smiling in spite of her annoyance. “I and my husband have always had an equal partnership,” she said.