happened to them.’
‘But we aren’t anything to do with the temple raiders,’ said Hirad. ‘Do they assume all elves are the same? Is it so difficult for them to understand people can be different from one another? Gods, Ilkar, but if you weren’t an elf I wouldn’t be putting up with this.’
‘So do it for Ilkar alone,’ said The Unknown.
‘I am,’ said Hirad. ‘And Ren. And any elf I know that’s still alive back on Balaia. I would just like some recognition from this ungrateful bunch that we’re on their side and trying to help. Not too much to ask.’
‘They aren’t like us,’ said Denser. ‘You just have to accept that.’
‘That doesn’t make it all right, Denser.’ Hirad looked along the bench to where the Xeteskian sat with Erienne in his arms. ‘I’m not like them. Don’t see me being a tosser do you?’
‘Not yet, anyway,’ said Ilkar.
Hirad shrugged and rubbed at his unshaven chin, then at his legs. ‘Glad we’re out of the forest for a bit,’ he said. ‘What about you, Darrick?’
The Lysternan general looked around with pursed lips. ‘I was loving it,’ he said. ‘Nothing I enjoy more than being eaten from the inside.’
Hirad laughed, knowing the Al-Arynaar would look round. ‘It’s that pasty pampered cavalryman flesh of yours. I told you years ago you should have joined us.’
‘And then I’d have had to put up with boils and bites. How are yours, by the way?’
‘Very well, thanks,’ said Hirad.
‘There’s a serious point to be made here,’ said The Unknown in that voice none could ignore. ‘We’ve got a couple of days of relative calm now. We should use it. Mages should get as much sleep as possible, and the rest of us should look after ourselves as well as we can. Only ask for a spell if you’re getting sick. Agreed?’
Hirad looked over at Aeb, who occupied the back of the boat with them. The Protector had attracted no special interest from the Al-Arynaar. And that in itself was telling about how self-centred the temple defenders were. Someone of Aeb’s size and appearance got attention everywhere.
‘How’s the face, Aeb?’
The mask turned towards him, the eyes fixing him neutrally. ‘I am not inconvenienced.’
‘Good. So does that mean you’re clear of sores and bites or that they’re under control?’
‘I am not inconvenienced.’
‘Leave it, Hirad,’ said The Unknown. ‘It is Aeb’s business and he will seek assistance should he need it. That’s all you need to know.’
‘Whatever you say.’ Hirad was already bored despite the fact they’d only been on the boat a short time. ‘Hey, Thraun, you all right?’
The shapechanger had been silent since climbing the tree for the crossing of the River Ix. Hirad had watched him from time to time and there was no doubting his love of the rainforest. Thraun listened intently to the sounds and took pleasure in the creatures they encountered. He’d been the only one not surprised by the ClawBound communication and Hirad suspected he understood it.
What went on in that mind of his none of them could fathom. Darrick, who had taken on his blade training, had elicited almost nothing from him, and The Unknown, whom Thraun often shadowed closer than a Protector, couldn’t persuade him to talk. Despite his silence, however, his fighting instincts were clearly there and Hirad had total confidence in his ability to do the right thing. Something he didn’t yet have in Ren.
Thraun looked over and shrugged. His body was almost free of bites. Either the drink Rebraal made them worked particularly well for him or his skin retained its lupine toughness. Seeing he wasn’t going to get anything more, Hirad turned his attention to Ilkar, a smile returning to his face.
‘Hey, Ilks, your girlfriend all right, is she?’
He saw Ren stiffen where she sat in the prow, looking determinedly forward. Ilkar, though, needed no goading.
‘Drop it, Hirad,’ he warned, his ears pricking and reddening in irritation.
‘Just wanted to be sure everything was all right between you two, you know. I’d hate there to be bad feeling.’
‘Everything will be fine as long as you keep your nose out of it,’ said Ilkar. ‘Just leave it alone.’
‘You’re sure there’s nothing I can do to help?’
‘Besides throwing yourself over the side?’
‘Sorry I spoke,’ said Hirad.
‘As are we all,’ said Erienne. ‘Hirad, you can be such a child. You’re giving me a headache.’
‘Erienne?’ asked The Unknown.
‘It’s all right, thank you.’
The Unknown grabbed the scruff of Hirad’s jerkin and pulled him back, putting his mouth close to the barbarian’s ear.
‘We