“You remind me of things the Firelord said; things I did not then understand. He said he believed there was another diviner, but he could not find him. He spoke of having no real choice; of compromise, and half a dream. Maybe you are right, Elsha. Maybe he did in the end mean you to be Firewoman, and me to fight for you. But I cannot force my soldiers to accept that. Neither will I command them to fight and die for something they do not believe. If you would have them fight for you in the battle, then you must give them something great to fight for. Your personal vision for your race is not enough.”

“Tomorrow morning they shall have their reason,” I said.

We parted then.

That night, in secret and alone, I visited the libraries again.

At dawn I went to see Amasai. He had refused a fine room in the city, and had camped out on the plain with his men. The skies were barely grey when I went to their camp, and the tents were white with ice. It had snowed a little in the night, and patches of it were piled against the tents and about the tussock grass. Soldiers were already about, lighting small fires on the frozen ground outside, and heating water for washing and drinks. There were thousands of them, and their tents were pitched in straight and orderly lines, hundreds upon hundreds. The nearest soldiers watched me approach, their faces curious and unwelcoming. I wondered if Alejandro was somewhere among them, and, if so, whether he would fight for me. There was no time to make enquiries.

One of the sentries took me to Amasai’s tent.

Amasai was standing over a silver bowl on a low stand, washing. He wore only trousers, and I saw that he had a long scar down his back. Steam from the water curled into the bitter air. A brazier burned on the ground in the centre of the tent, but made little difference to the temperature. Amasai did not hear the soldier announce my arrival, and his servant was so surprised to see me that he could not speak. Amasai finished washing his face, then noticed me. He smiled, and dried his face on a towel his servant handed him.

“I’m sorry to come so early,” I said, “but I didn’t want Maelmor or the priests to question me. I left before they were about.”

Amasai grinned. “Why, Elsha? Have you done something unlawful? Apart from breathing Kasimarra’s sacred air, that is.” He pulled on a jacket, and the servant moved to button it for him. Amasai waved him away. “Leave us,” he said. “I would speak alone with this woman.”

The servant looked stunned, but obeyed.

“Sit down, Elsha,” said Amasai, indicating a low folding stool. “I’m sorry I can’t offer you a golden chair just now. But that will come, I hope. So. What news?”