He did. The Themian ate up the ground like a rathlyd, except where the lizard would have employed its subcutaneous hook-talons, Kade used hands the size of spades to make his ascent. Prodigious climbing ability was not the only thing he had in common with that saurian species, Illion decided as he climbed up after the barbarian. The Themian was cold-blooded too. Yes, he had undeniable fire, the kind of focused rage and overconfidence that all great warriors possessed, but Illion reasoned he would find a fount of ice running through Kade’s veins if he were ever cut deep enough.

The pathfinder was still considering that when he saw a brawny hand outstretched above him, offering aid. The grip around his good wrist that seized him a moment later was like a manacle of iron.

Kade hauled him up the rest of the way as if he weighed no more than a child.

‘Good, pathfinder?’ the Themian asked, crouched on haunches like girders of plasteel.

Illion nodded, grateful for the assist.

Perhaps he isn’t cold as nuclear winter after all…

A few minutes later, Har’gaan and Za’tenga reached the summit.

Illion could perform very basic battlefield surgery but it didn’t take a medicae to know that Har’gaan was in a bad way. The blisters on his back and shoulder were red-raw and seeping. Infection was almost certain, though the worst of it was obviously cauterised by the heat. Sweat, and not from the external heat, was beading Har’gaan’s brow and his eyelids flickered. He was barely on the edge of consciousness.

A rough hand seized Illion’s shoulder, the manacle becoming a clamp that bit down with iron fingers.

‘We follow it, then where?’

Kade had entered a sort of catatonic survival mode. He was so calm, it was actually terrifying. They would need that impervious strength and resolve to make it the rest of the way out of the fire canyon.

Illion dared not make him wait for an answer.

He nodded. ‘Follow the causeway,’ he confirmed. ‘In about thirty metres it hooks to the left and then angles downwards another ten or so. Keep flat to the wall and be mindful of your footing, the ledge is very narrow in places.’

‘Then where?’ It came out as a demand not a question. Kade’s fists bunched around the stock of his combat shotguns but he had at least released his grip on Illion’s shoulder. If not, he might have crushed his collar bone.

‘Keeps descending, down into a shallow basin of rock, I think. Couldn’t read it that well through the smoke.’

Kade regarded the pathfinder for a few more seconds, as if gauging whether he was satisfied with his guide’s assessment. In the end he turned away and started off down the causeway. ‘Follow, pathfinder,’ he called behind him.

‘Something has happened to him,’ said Za’tenga in a low voice.

Illion nodded to the other warrior at his shoulder then asked, ‘Har’gaan?’

Za’tenga was about to shake his head when Har’gaan staggered past them both.