Everywhere was gorged with life. From the vibrantly coloured birds that flew overhead to the jaguars they'd seen lapping at the water's edge; to the snakes that curled around so many boughs of so many trees, and the lizards, rodents and huge hairy pig-like mammals that watched them with nervous eyes and snuffling snouts as they journeyed by. Below them yet more lurked and Hirad was glad of Ilkar's warning.

The lazy flop of fish at the river's surface was occasionally counter-pointed by the thrash of the great armoured reptiles that swam the Ix and basked on its muddy banks. Some of them had to be more than thirty feet long and the only animal not scared of them was even bigger. These giants, only their frog eyes visible, watched The Raven pass from their submerged positions. One slip, Hirad thought, and any man would be prey, though Ilkar swore to him that these lumbering aquatic animals ate only plant life.

Still, the river had yielded food for the night's stop. Before midday, the travellers had caught enough fish for a feast; they thrashed in a water-filled sack at their irascible guide's feet.

As the day wore on, tempers began to turn. Where the morning had seen the mist burn off and the rains come to cool them, the afternoon took on a heavy stifling quality that dampened spirits and leached strength. And when the clouds had stormed over them, and the lightning flashed under the dark grey mantle with thunder the prelude to yet another savage downpour, it had failed to clear the air and the heat was like a wall.

When at last, with light fading quickly, they'd steered for the bank and made camp forty yards from the river, the smiles were a fading memory.

Hirad sat on a log in the tiny clearing they had made under the patronising instruction of Kayloor who, Ilkar translated every now and again, was apparently appalled at the damage they were doing to the forest. Hammocks were strung in a loose circle around a shallow fire pit and wood burned there, lit despite its damp by Ilkar's FlamePalm.

Kayloor had produced a spit and stand from the boat's storage locker and was making himself useful cooking the fish. On another part of the fire, water boiled in a sizeable pot. Ilkar sat next to Hirad and the two of them looked around the campsite in silence for a time, watching. Aeb cleaned and sharpened his axe and sword. The Unknown was doing likewise with blade and daggers. Denser and Erienne sat on the other side of the fire, she constantly kneading her neck and trying to cover everywhere at once with her eyes and he scratching at an itch below his skullcap. The other three were out in the forest, collecting more wood and, so Ilkar said, some useful herbs, if they could find them.

'How are you doing?' he asked Hirad.

'Bloody awful,' said Hirad. 'I feel knackered but I haven't done anything. I'm already dreading another day in that damn boat, and if that guide of yours makes another clever comment he's going to find himself a snack for one of those great reptile things in the river. Oh, and my hands hurt from rowing.'

'They're called crocodiles. And quiet,' hissed Ilkar. 'We can't afford to upset him.'

They both looked at Kayloor but he didn't seem to have heard them.

'Look,' continued Ilkar. 'I know it's difficult to understand, but it's not personal what he's saying. It's how elves think. They tolerate Balaians in the trading towns and ports, but inland it's different. They don't think you understand the lore of the forest and of course they're absolutely right. Now, let me see your hands.'

'They'll be fine,' said Hirad, not convinced by Ilkar's defence of Kayloor. As far as he was concerned, the elf was just plain insulting.

'No, they won't, Hirad. You haven't listened to me, have you? This isn't Balaia. Are you blistered?'

'Well, what do you think, Ilkar?' Hirad raised his voice, feeling suddenly irritated. 'While you were sitting chatting with king smart-arse there, some of us were putting our backs out trying to move us upriver more quickly. And looking around here, I fail to see why we bothered. I mean, is this the best you can do?'

'Frankly, yes,' said Ilkar. 'Now let me see.'

'Gods, all right,' said Hirad, holding out his hands. 'You're worse than my mother.'

'I'm surprised you can remember,' said Ilkar shortly.

'Oh, and I'm sure you saw yours only just the other day. Or was it a hundred years ago? I'm easily confused.'

Ilkar didn't answer but grabbed Hirad's hands roughly, stretching his damaged skin.

'Ouch,' he said.

'Sorry,' replied Ilkar brightly. 'Right. It's not too bad but you've broken the skin in a couple of places. Assuming Ren brings back some rubiac, I'll make you a poultice that you should apply to each hand for an hour, all right?'

'Why don't you just do me a WarmHeal or something if you're that bothered? Can't imagine a few wet leaves is going to do much good.'

'They'll kill the infection and help the skin to heal over. Don't argue. Don't put your hands in the dirt if you can help it, and try not to row tomorrow.'

'Tell our great captain that,' said Hirad, pointing a finger at Kayloor. The elf said nothing, merely turned the fish skewered on the spit. Whatever Hirad thought of him personally, whatever the sort of fish he was cooking, it smelled fantastic. Hirad had forgotten how hungry he was. 'I just don't see why you're so concerned. They're just a few blisters.'

Ilkar breathed out loudly. 'I don't know why I bloody bother. Look – and I want you all to listen to this, not just cloth-ears, here. Worry about every cut, sore or blister you get. Worry about every rash, every stomach pain and every headache. For the last time, this is not Balaia. Infections are so easy to get, particularly if you weren't born here. Never drink water before you've boiled it or before a mage has cleansed it. But you must eat and drink well. I can see how tired you all are and you've been sitting in a boat all day. What if we end up having to walk? You have to give your bodies time to get used to the heat, the humidity, everything. Please tell me you understand.'

Ilkar's impassioned speech was met with a few muttered affirmatives.

'Two other points, if I may,' he said. 'First, Aeb, you need to bathe your face every night. Ren or I will make you a balm, though it would be easier if you'd let someone help you.'

'That is not possible,' said Aeb. 'I am the only Protector here. I will attend to myself alone.'

'Understood. The other thing, Erienne and Denser, is please look after your mana stamina reserves. No matter how hard we try, someone will most likely get sick and we will all get bitten to pieces. There are snakes that can kill in a couple of hours and anything that bites will infect you.'

'So glad you brought us here,' said Denser. 'I mean, is there anything we can do that won't result in death or serious illness?'

'Just take extra care. You'll soon get used to it,' said Ilkar. 'And I should remind you that no one was forced to come here.'

'Oh, really?' Denser raised his eyebrows. 'If you cast your mind back you'll find there was considerable pressure.'

'That's because we're The Raven. We work together and Ilkar needed our help,' said Hirad. 'I didn't hear you object.'

'But there was never any choice, Hirad, was there?'

Hirad snapped the twig he was holding and threw the ends into the fire.

'This again? Gods drowning, Denser but I don't remember you giving us any choice when you needed us to help find Erienne and Lyanna.'

'And look what good it did us,' whispered Erienne.

Hirad felt a pit open in his heart. 'Oh, Erienne, I didn't mean it that way-'

'I'm sorry we were such a burden on your time,' she said, voice rising. 'Perhaps if you'd stayed at home with your damn dragons all this wouldn't have happened. And perhaps if we weren't The Raven I could be where I belong. At my daughter's graveside.'