‘Serrah, I’m so glad you’ve come.’ He was obviously relieved to see her.

‘What’s up?’

‘We were promised a healer, but nobody’s come.’

‘I wouldn’t hold your breath, Kinsel, given the state of things out there.’

‘I know, and I feel selfish when everyone’s so stretched. But I’m worried about Tan.’

‘Is she in desperate need?’

‘I don’t know,’ he sighed. ‘That’s what I was hoping a doctor would tell us.’ He moved closer and his voice dropped. ‘Though I’m starting to think she might need a priest, not a healer.’

‘Is she that bad?’ Serrah replied, alarmed.

‘No, no, you misunderstand me. It’s just that what ails her seems more…spiritual than physical.’ He added in a whisper, ‘I suppose I mean her mental state.’

‘I’ve not seen that much of her since she got here, but she does seem…well, almost a different person. What happened, Kinsel, do you have any idea?’

‘She had a hard time in Bhealfa before getting away, of course. I’ve never been able to find out exactly what she went through, though we can be sure it was difficult. But I’m no less in the dark than you, really.’

‘Perhaps it’s the baby. It’s her first, remember, and sometimes that can be a trial. Maybe once it’s born-’

‘Yes, of course.’ He looked at her, as though he’d pulled away from his own concerns and was seeing her properly for the first time. ‘I’m sorry, Serrah; you must think me terribly self-obsessed. I haven’t even asked how you are.’

‘I’m fine.’

‘Are you sure? You do look a little wasted, if you don’t mind me saying. What have you been up to?’

‘It’s an involved story, and it’ll keep. Look, things outside are turning critical. That’s what I came about.’

‘We know we’re hardly in a good position here, but-’

‘It’s going to get a lot worse. I want you to think about letting me arrange a move for you all, seriously this time.’

His worried look deepened. ‘I thought you said we were safe here.’

‘I did. You are. But you’d be safer nearer the redoubt’s core. You’re too close to the outside of the building.’

‘What’s the point? The situation’s hopeless, isn’t it?’

‘That attitude’s not very helpful to Tan, is it? Or the kids. And what’s your alternative, giving up and cutting your throats? There’s always hope. Hang on to it.’

‘You sound like the way I was once.’

‘Good. Be that way again, it suits you.’ She squeezed his arm affectionately, noting how much bonier it was. ‘Something will turn up.’

‘The Source?’

‘Our secret weapon?’ She had to bite back her cynicism, lest she negate her last little speech. ‘It’s not proving fantastically helpful at the moment. But it has come up with some interesting facts.’ There was no need to burden him with horror stories about the Founders. ‘Again, I’ll tell you later.’ Assuming there would be a later.

‘Something else worries me.’

‘Haven’t you got enough to be going on with?’

‘Seriously. I wonder what I’d do if it came to me being all that stood between Tan and the kids and those invaders. What price my pacifism then? How would I be able to protect them? Then I think about how I’m leaving the fighting to others, and feel perhaps I’m just a coward after all.’ He bowed his head.

She stretched a hand to his chin and gently lifted his head again. ‘That’s between you and your conscience, Kinsel. I know what I’d do in that situation, but you and I have a slightly different way of looking at the world. And you’re no coward. I couldn’t do what you do. That turning the other cheek stuff takes a lot more self-discipline than I’ve got. Does that make either of us a coward?’

He gave a mild smile in gratitude. ‘We’ll have to hope that the enemy behave honourably and are merciful towards women and children.’

‘I’m sure they will be, if it comes to that.’ She thought it would be nice to believe that herself. ‘Kinsel, time’s pressing. Can I see Tan?’

‘Yes, of course you can.’ He stood aside to let her in.

As before, Tanalvah was in her bed. Her appearance wasn’t greatly improved from the last time Serrah had seen her. She still had a pasty, unhealthy pallor, and her breathing was shallow to the point of improbability. Her eyes were closed. In the room’s meagre light, she could have passed for a corpse.

There was no sign of the children. Serrah assumed they were behind the closed door of the adjoining room, hopefully sleeping.

Sensing Kinsel and Serrah’s presence before they made a sound, Tanalvah opened her eyes. There were unmistakable embers of pain in them, but she smiled at Kinsel.

‘I seem to spend my life asking this,’ Serrah said, ‘but how are you, Tan?’

‘I’m going to be better,’ she replied. It came out with a decisiveness she hadn’t shown for a long time.

‘That’s the spirit, my love,’ Kinsel approved.

‘I’m going to be better once I’ve made a clean breast and begged forgiveness.’

‘Iparrater doesn’t need you to beg,’ Serrah replied, taking it as a reference to Tanalvah’s faith. ‘You’ve often said yourself she’s a benign god.’

‘I’ve made my peace with her. I’m content with whatever punishment she sees fit to inflict on me. No, I’m thinking of more worldly forgiveness.’

‘You’ve done nothing to be forgiven for. If you’re referring to your old profession, well, you hardly had a choice about that, did you? Come on, Tan. A child’s birth should be a joyous time, whatever else is going on in this crazy world.’

‘It will be joyful to me if my child isn’t born in my sin. Which is why I must make my confession and-’

‘Tan? Tan.’

Tanalvah’s face twisted, her body writhing in agony.

Kinsel peered at her, anxious. ‘My love?’

‘It’s…time.’ Tanalvah said it through clenched teeth. Another shudder wracked her.

‘She’s right,’ Serrah reckoned. ‘Those are contractions.’

‘We need a healer.’ He looked distraught.

‘They’re all busy.’

‘Then we have to do it. Serrah, you-’

‘Because I’m a woman I have to be an expert midwife, is that it?’

‘Who else does she have but us?’

‘Oh, shit.’ Serrah felt a little ashamed, as well as fearful. She really wanted to get back to Reeth. And if she was being totally honest, given the ramp still coursing through her veins, the action. ‘Bring hot water and towels,’ she said. As he moved off, she called, ‘And keep the kids out of here!’

‘Good odds,’ Caldason said, his gaze flicking from the paladin to the meld and the young officer.

‘They’re under orders to leave this to me,’ Bastorran told him.

‘Ah. I meant only the three of you. Good odds.’

‘I’m going to enjoy shutting that mouth of yours so much.’

‘Then perhaps it’s time you stopped flapping yours and got on with it.’

Kutch was still gawping at the uniformed stranger, and Wendah was staring perplexedly at him.

Bastorran took the lure and came at Reeth, sword swinging. Their blades collided, giving off a peal that echoed through the empty stable.

The opening rash of strokes and counterstrokes should have determined top dog. Instead it showed there was little between them in terms of prowess. But that initial few seconds reminded Reeth of something he had observed the last time they met. Their skills might be more or less equally matched, but their fighting styles differed. Like all paladins, Bastorran had been trained in the classical tradition. Caldason was more of a street fighter. He put a greater emphasis on instinct, and less on standard combinations and textbook passes.

Not that classical meant fair. Fencing as the paladin employed it was no less ruthless in intent than the actions of the lowliest back alley vagabond. Bastorran may have wielded his blade with grace, even a certain elegance, but still the object was to drive steel into his opponent’s gut.

‘Not so easy this time, is it, Caldason?’ he mocked. ‘No speeding wagons to hurl your victim from. No gangs of traitors to spirit you away.’