She could not stop the flinch, but paused a moment before flicking away the wormy fruit, as though it was no more than an unwanted pip, even the piece that might have been edible. She wrapped the cloak around her, lay down, and closed her eyes.
* * *
It was dark when the leader returned.
‘We eat, we sleep, then we leave,’ he said. ‘Men-at-arms everywhere, especially on the roads leading eastward. They are not all from Ilkyrie. I saw the colours of several princedoms including—would you believe it—Gral. The little toady. They are searching every lane for her.’ As he spoke, he plonked a loaf of dark bread, a wedge of yellow cheese, and some cold meat on the table. ‘Riadan has gone on, toward Cheron, and we must follow. Our man here will take all the animals and bring us a cart with two fr
