Epilogue
Konrad had been lying on the cold floor of his Bone Forest hut for some hours before he heard the first sounds of approach. Someone was coming up the ladder below.
It could be anybody, he distantly realised; his hut was perfectly visible, and perhaps he might have been followed by somebody who intended him harm. He hoped it was Nanda, but could by no means be certain of it.
He did nothing in response to these unpromising prospects save to ensure that his legs were not covering the trapdoor.
A few moments later the door swung open and Nanda’s head appeared, clad in an oiled rain hat. She stared in surprise at Konrad’s unexpectedly prone form splayed across the floor in front of her.
‘Konrad?’ she enquired. ‘I do hope you are still breathing.’
Konrad made no reply save to draw
