Kailas's teeth clacked like a child’s bone rattle. Shock made the wind seem twice as chill. Her cloak was shredded at the front, and her back burned with pain. She was sure she had horseshoes imprinted on her back.

It was a miracle she was in one piece. If only she could stop shaking – her arms trembled so much, it was a struggle to wipe the blood from her sword. She slid the blade beneath her belt on the second attempt, fighting the urge to sink down and howl. What she wouldn’t give for a goodhearted hug from someone, the warmth of a fire, the promise of safety.

‘Kailas.’

Ancier staggered through the grass, leading his horse. He moved as though drunk, his face grey and drawn in pain.

‘I’m sorry,’ he rasped.

Kailas stood stock-still, stunned by his dishevelled appearance and the way he swayed on his feet. If it hadn’t been for his fine clothing and golden eyes, she wouldn’t have recognized him.

Her breath caught in her throat. His eyes.

‘W…was t…that you?’ the words stuttered out as she gestured to the two dead vilesabres.

Ancier sank to his knees, the reins falling from his hands. Without thinking, Kailas leapt forwards and threw her arms round him.

He let out a strangled scream and pitched forwards.

Kailas swiftly backed off, cursing her ability. It only made things worse. She clutched her arms and kept her distance.

Eventually, Ancier pushed himself up to a sitting position.

‘Never…touch me…again,’ he rasped. ‘You are killing me with every moment we spend together. I must go where I can best be tended, or I will die. Look at what you have done to me. It is the reason the Mayqsa want you.’

A convulsion seized him. Kailas shifted from one foot to the other until the fit subsided, wishing she could do something.

‘You must go on alone.’ Ancier forced himself up. ‘If you hurry, you can reach Cottlecombe before dusk. Take my horse and go.’

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‘There must be another way,’ Kailas said. ‘You ride the horse and I’ll walk. You can’t leave me.’ She didn’t like him. But she still needed him.

‘You go on alone,’ Ancier repeated.

Kailas cast a nervous glance at the furry carcasses. ‘What if I run into more of them?’

‘Vilesabres maintain vast territories. There are no more.’

‘What about wolves?’

‘Focus on the Mayqsa, Kailas. Not every snake, scorpion or stinging stickfly.’ His gaze fell on her sword. ‘Show me how you handle that.’

Kailas wrapped her fingers round the grip. The bluish blade made a zing sound as she drew it. A coiled snake was etched into the upper part of the blade, and the hilt was embossed with a red circle.

‘A fine weapon,’ Ancier said, throwing a bundle of leather in her direction. ‘This goes with it.’

Kailas picked up the assemblage of scabbard and belt, both displaying exceptional workmanship. Her hands shook as she slid the belt round her waist and pulled the strap through the buckle.

‘The rider won’t be needing it,’ Ancier said. ‘What’s left of him is under that tree.’

‘I thought he’d got away,’ Kailas said in a small voice.

‘He died fighting. It’s not a bad way to go.’

‘I don’t want to die fighting.’

‘Then pay attention. That’s a one-handed sword, but with those skinny arms of yours, you’d better use it two-handed.’

Kailas made several experimental slices through the air, relieved her arms were shaking less.

‘I need to try it out on something,’ she said, looking at the nearby tree.

‘Hitting a tree won’t teach you anything,’ Ancier warned. ‘Test it on the dead man.’

‘No!’ Kailas let the sword tip drop.

‘You can’t afford to be squeamish.’

‘No.’ She sheathed the sword.

‘A pity.’ Ancier sank back onto a tussock, his voice dull from exhaustion. ‘Follow the path past the dead rider. It drops down until it crosses a river. The village lies on the other side. Stay there tonight. In the morning, take the road out of Cottlecombe. It joins the Bay Highway and will take you to Ordasius.’

‘What do I do then?’ Kailas asked, chewing her lip.

‘Demand to see the Crown Equerry. Tell him Ancier of the Scars sent you. Tell him that Mayaqdor lives and the Mayqsa have invaded Avellion. He will listen.’

‘But what if the Crown Equerry won’t see me? What if the guards won’t let me in?’

‘Then ask for the King’s Thaumaturge or the Commander-in-Chief. You must get through those gates. Once I am recovered, I will join you. Now go.’

It was a bad business, retrieving her rucksack from her dead horse. Blood stained the canvas on one side. The rest of her provisions and water skins were trapped beneath the horse. She tried to haul them free, but they wouldn’t budge.

Ancier didn’t lift his head as she walked his horse to a rock and used it to step into the saddle.

Screeching calls came from above as firedrakes circled over the carnage. From her higher vantagepoint looking down on Ancier, he didn’t seem much of a threat anymore.

She swallowed hard. There were no farewells. She kicked her horse into a canter, leaving Ancier sitting in the middle of the path with the firedrakes circling ever lower.