“But what can I do? What can any of us do?”

“You doubt yourself,” said the Earth-witch. “You have run from Talon’s house carrying hate in your heart, seeking the destruction of your enemy. You do not yet understand how important it is to prevent war – not just on Bellum Island, but war such as we have never known, where every hand is turned against its neighbour!”

“You mean the Drowned Ones? But they are our enemies!” Cloud’s words echoed in her head. “It is our duty to avenge our dead!”

The old man did not reply.

“You have, I am told,” said the Air-witch, “the makings of a Chanter. So you will know the old tales.”

“I know some.”

“Then you know that Fire was first sent into the World in order to destroy it. That it was prevented by being chained by Earth and imprisoned by Water.”

“Yes. And the One admonished the Elementals to keep the Balance. How is it that Fire dares flout the will of the One?”

“Fire is impetuous and selfish,” said the former Fire-witch. “It may believe the One will never return.”

“All the Elementals are selfish.” The Earth-witch spoke at last. “Even the Tortoise. They are not prone to introspection.”

“Will the One return?” Storm asked.

“In its own time, which is not measured in human years. Fire sought to destroy Water long ago. The tales speak of the time when the seas burned, and the mountains of the north-east islands woke in rage, erupted, burned and sank. Those that escaped the battle between sea and fire became the Drowned Ones.”

“But it was their own fault that their islands sank! The homes of the Drowned Ones disappeared beneath the sea because the people who lived on them lacked virtue. Ever since, they have tried to steal our islands for themselves. The war between us is their fault!”

“It is important to remember who writes the tales,” the old man said wryly.

“Humans are frail, even as the Elementals.” He shrugged. “We fight because there is not enough land for all of us. But if life is to survive, we must find a new way.”

“Know this,” said the woman who had once been a Fire-witch. “The Salamander grows fat on hate. War makes it strong.”

“But … how can we not hate those who hurt us?” Storm protested. “I saved the life of a Drowned One and then the boy betrayed me. My mother died because I trusted him!”

“Yes,” said the old Earth-witch.

Storm wanted him to tell her that Dain’s death had been unavoidable. That it would have happened whether she had rescued Nim or not.

But the old man kept nodding. “Yes.” Every word he spoke broke her heart anew. “Your mother died because you saved the boy. I am sorry.”