Kailas' breath came out in plumes as she headed for the main square. The shops’ shutters were battened tight. Storm torches illuminated the area, the flames burning brilliant white, inside their protective cages, from phossite crystals embedded in the wicks.

The whistling wind and shop signs squeaking on their hinges put her nerves on edge. Clumps of long-forgotten autumn leaves and wisps of straw tumbled across the square.

Kailas debated her choices. She could try and go it alone, but without proper supplies or shelter, she didn’t rate her chances. The area outside Mottesfont Reach was undiscovered country. Conditions on the mountains were hostile. The last of the livestock had been brought down months before, along with the bodies of two travellers frozen stiff.

The stranger’s warning reverberated in her mind.

‘I found you easily. So will they.’

In the end, there was only one decision she could make. She kept to the shadows around the square and passed under the vaulted arches covering the livestock pens. Metal rafters rattled in the wind.

She passed the last torch marking the end of the central district. Beyond this point, the lighting ended, and the streets were plunged into semi-darkness. The stone terraced roads connected by archways were thrown into shadow. Moonlight could only reach so far.

Kailas had always thought of Mottesfont Reach as a safe haven. By day, the narrow streets looked cosy and quaint. Now, she found herself wedged within narrow lanes, less than an arm’s length from the walls. She crept past corners and doorways that were perfect hiding places for anyone with the will to wait.

She started jogging as she approached the final corner before Mill Street. A few steps away from the meeting point, a dark figure emerged from the shadows, its face hidden within the black hollow of its cowl.

Kailas let out a gasp, convinced the enemy had come for her early.

‘No, no.’ The words croaked from her dry mouth as she fumbled with one hand for the hilt of her dagger.

The figure drew its hood back.

Kailas released her grip on the hilt, her heart pounding. Moonlight caught the handsome angles and hollows of the stranger’s face.

He raised his hand, showing her a coin. A crown.

‘I told you not to be seen.’

Kailas stared at the coin, her mouth dropping.

‘W…what does that mean?’ she stammered.

‘In future, follow my instructions.’ He tossed it.

Kailas fumbled the catch, chased the coin along the ground. She grabbed it and held it up to the moonlight.

‘What did you do to Cook?’ she asked. ‘Did you kill her?’

‘This isn’t helping, and we’re wasting time.’

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‘Did you kill her? Tell me!’

The stranger turned his back on her and started walking.

Kailas was tempted to throw the tainted coin down the lane. She thrust it into her pocket, sick to her stomach. He must be lying. There hadn’t been time for him to kill Cook and get to the crossroads to meet her. Yet, the coin, his arrogant stance and burning stare told her it must be true.

‘She didn’t deserve to die.’ Anger replaced her fear, as she ran after him. ‘All she di-’

The stranger put his hand up. ‘No closer!’

‘Why? No one’s going to see your obscure shattered here!’ Kailas wanted to grab hold of him and make him squirm, but her inner voice warned her to stop.

‘That is not the reason you must keep your distance.’ The stranger’s eyes shone amber in the dim light. ‘Oblige me until we reach Ordasius, for the sake of my health.’

Kailas threw him a filthy look. ‘You’re full of secrets. Why can’t you tell me the truth?’

‘Why can’t you do as you’re told?’

Kailas bumped against the wall, rubbing her aching brow.

‘The truth is, I cannot bear to be within ten feet of you,’ the stranger said. ‘Whenever you approach, I feel disgust and physical pain. Keep your distance.’

‘I can’t do this.’ Kailas took in a shuddering breath and wrapped her arms round herself. ‘It’s all wrong.’

At her hesitation, the stranger gave a click of irritation. ‘You know you must come with me. You may not like it, but don’t waste my time pretending you’ve got any other choice.’

‘You say it like I’m playing games with you,’ Kailas hissed. ‘You’ve turned my life upside down. Give me a moment!’

‘And do what?’

Kailas took a deep breath, tried to remember he was helping her.

The stranger walked away to the centre of the crossroads. He slowed for a moment, outlined against the sky.

He said something in a low voice.

‘What?’

‘Ancier,’ the stranger repeated from the dark. ‘My name is Ancier.’

‘Ancier the murderer,’ Kailas muttered under her breath as she started after him.

He led her out of town to a stone bridge crossing the gushing river, shadowed by the bulk of the mill, its giant wheel slowly turning.

Cold moonlight lit the drywalls that marked the town limits. They passed through a rusting gate and followed the utility lanes, past narrow labourers’ cottages and a vast byre to a muddy sidetrack heavy with the smell of cow manure.

Ancier led her to a gatepost where two dark bay cobs were hitched. The horses were stocky with shaggy coats and thick manes. Mud had splashed their hooves and lower legs. Upon their backs were deep travelling saddles made of stitched padded leather, long rest stirrups and high pommels to wrap the reins round. Several bulging water skins hung alongside saddlebags full of provisions.

Kailas dropped her rucksack and stroked the first horse’s warm, velvety muzzle. The horse shook its neck, its bit clinking.

‘Where did you get the horses?’

‘Does it matter?’ Ancier said, as he secured her bag behind the saddle.

His face looked pale in the moonlight. Kailas remembered how he had glowed with health inside the tavern. She wondered whether she had mistaken his colour under the glow of firelight and candles.

His clothes looked as fine. The quality of his oilskin cloak put her practical but well-worn cloak to shame. She wasn’t sure if Ancier was rich, vain or both, but she added her observations to the long list of unknowns regarding him.

From the byre, a cow’s lowing broke the quiet.

Ancier moved to the second horse, untied the reins and swung himself deftly into the saddle. Leaning down, he unlatched the gate to the field. He nudged his horse forwards and pushed the gate open.

‘We’ll avoid main roads. This route is quicker, following the trappers’ lanes. If we’re lucky, no one will spot us before we join the main road at Cottlecombe.’

Kailas wondered how close the Mayqsa were. It was impossible to stop thinking about them.

She untied her reins and used the fence to get an easy step up in the saddle. She wasn’t an experienced rider, having spent most of her life in the city, yet her horse moved through the gate with the lightest touch of her heels.

Ancier manoeuvred his horse with ease and shut the gate behind her.

‘Keep your distance,’ he reminded her, heading across the field.

He spurred his horse forwards to a safe distance. Kailas pulled her cloak around her shoulders and took consolation from the distance between them – it would spare any awkward conversation.

The saddle was comfortable. The fields ahead were empty with the cows still in their byre. For a moment, she felt a thrill in her stomach at the journey ahead.

Then she remembered that the landscape ahead concealed faceless, nameless pursuers, and the feeling evaporated.