'This would be a good time to teach me how to make a fin-outdoors, Kristabel said through chattering teeth.

Edeard had given her his robe after they came out of the sea; but it didn't help warm her much. His own skin was covered in goosebumps as they walked up the sands towards the bluff.

'Very well, he said with dignity. He reached out with his third hand and gathered broken branches and chunks of driftwood. Kristabel clapped merrily as they whirled through the air and began to pile up in a hollow at the base of the bluff. 'Now, see, we need some dry leaves at the centre, he explained meticulously as his third hand bunched some fragile brown gorelow leaves together. 'And these trinpine spines are really useful, too, they catch easily. He squatted down beside the wood to make sure the tinder was positioned just right. Kristabel knelt down beside him, her mind shielded, but wearing an expression of deadly earnest. 'So now I just need some flints. Two suitable stones leapt up out of the sand and flew towards him. 'You have to spark them fast, and direct the sparks with your third hand so they always hit the same spot. At the same time you stir a gentle flow of air where they hit. But not too much, because that will blow it out. Learning to use just the right amount is tricky. He twisted round to take hold of the stones with his flesh and blood hands. There was a peculiar silver glimmer of light behind him. 'Huh? he turned back to see the tinder burning brightly.

'Oooh, Kristabel cooed. 'That was so impressive, Water-walker. A girl knows she'll always be provided for when you go hunter gathering in the wild.

'How did you…?

There was a diabolical gleam in her eyes and mind. She held up her hand. Cold white flame scintillated along her fingers and arched across into the base of the wood.

'Oh. Despite the chill, he was blushing hotly.

Kristabel nearly fell over she was laughing so hard. Her words had to be forced out. 'You are so easy to tease. Really.

'Obviously.

'Darling Edeard, she stroked his cheek. 'I'm sorry. Then she swayed forward, unable to stop laughing.

It was no use, he couldn't stay angry with her. His petulance gave way to a rueful grin. 'Yeah, but that trick won't help you with gache fungi, he informed her.

She swarmed into his lap, and twined her hands round his neck. Her smile rivalled the noonday sun. 'If I ever get attacked by legions of gache fungi, I promise in the Lady's name I will do everything you tell me from that day onwards, and I'll never laugh at you again.

'Okay. Now show me how you do the fire trick.

'I'm not supposed to; the families like it kept quiet.

'Think of it as the start of the revolution.

She kissed him. 'All right. Her mind gifted him the technique.

It was actually quite simple, he thought, as he examined the knowledge. Squeezing a little stream of air, and spinning it very fast at the same time to create a big static charge. 'Easy! He lifted his arm up, and let his telekinetic strength agitate the air around it. A blinding flash spat out, fanning wide to punch into the loose pile of wood. A ball of flame bloomed around the branches with a severe thud. Several flaming sticks twirled though the air, trailing smoke. Edeard and Kristabel ducked.

'By the Lady, Edeard! she exclaimed. Her mouth gaped in surprise.

The bonfire was now blazing furiously. Kristabel laughed again.

'That's better, he said as the flames shot even higher. 'I'm starting to warm up now.

Kristabel still had her hands behind his neck; she arched her spine, falling backwards to pull him down on top of her. 'Me too.

Edeard gave the beach lodge a mildly guilty glance, then grinned lewdly. 'I always heard sex on the beach is the absolute best. His third hand unfastened her belt.

The legend, he discovered, was quite right; sex on the beach was spectacular.

As soon as the night fell on the second day they went back to the bed in the middle of the lodge. Long after the candles had spluttered and died, Edeard lay on the bed watching the nebulas twinkle and sway across the night sky. He smiled languidly, yet sleep refused to claim him. 'How far away are they?

Kristabel peeked up at the ceiling. 'Are you still watching the nebulas? I don't know. A long long way.

'Do our souls reach them without guidance from the Skylords?

'I can't remember exactly what the Lady's teachings say. I think it's difficult for souls once they've been cast adrift from their old bodies. They just sort of float away through space.

'Lost. That's why we need the Skylords.

'Yes, she grinned and cuddled closer. 'You see, you know more than I do. You must be very devout.

'Hardly. I can barely remember that much. But how did the Lady know?

'Because the Firstlifes told her, or the Skylords told her what the Firstlifes said. I can't remember which. Though the Firstlifes would know, they're the ones who created the universe.

'This Void. The ships that brought us here came from outside.

'They certainly came from somewhere else.

'If they fell here from the other side of the sky, then they must have passed through the nebulas.

'I suppose so.

'Then they would have known exactly what they were like. Why didn't they stay there, in Odin's Sea? The Lady says it is the doorway to the Heart, where souls live for ever in unity and bliss.

'The ships were falling. They couldn't stay.

'They fell onto Querencia. While they are in the sky, ships fly. The people inside them control where they go, just as captains set course in our traders.

Kristabel propped herself up. He could only see the darkest outline of her, while her soft hair brushed against his chest.

'Why are you asking these questions?

'We have souls, Kristabel. I've sensed them. When I shot Mirnatha's kidnapper, my farsight watched his soul take flight.

'On its way to Honious, she growled.

'Not if it just drifts around the sky.

'Edeard, she asked tentatively, 'are you mocking me?

'No! he promised. 'Never. I just don't understand why the Skylords have abandoned us. What do we do to call them back?

'The Lady says we have to be true to ourselves.

'Most people are, aren't they? I know so many who were. Decent honest folk who died. Are their souls all lost? Is Akeem alone and astray somewhere in the sky? Is Melzar? Obron? For some reason he didn't want to examine, he suddenly thought of Salrana. Salrana who was working conscientiously in Ufford's hospital, waiting for the day she returned to Makkathran — and him. She'd devoted her life to the Lady, and she was decent. Certainly more than I am. Would her soul be lost in the Void? Such thoughts made him very uncomfortable, and for more than one reason. / really ought to write to her, explain I have found Kristabel. But I would never want to hear such news from a letter. Lady!

'I don't know, Edeard, Kristabel said, 'and that's the truth. If you want answers to such notions you'll have to ask a Mother. I can get you an appointment with the Pythia herself if you like. We're related, distantly.

'No. I'm sorry. My thoughts are wondering tonight, that's all. He tried to put the memories of Salrana away. I'll deal with that in an honourable way when she returns.

He felt her hair shift across him. Her fingers stroked his cheek. 'I thought I'd managed to calm you.

'You did. I am so completely exhausted my mind is in a daze, that's why I'm being so stupid.

'Do you want to make love to me again?

He smiled up into the darkness where he knew her face to be. 'I can't actually move right now, let alone do that.

'You'd better recover by tomorrow.

'I'll go to sleep now, I promise. I'll be ready for you again tomorrow night.