The fire had gone out by the time Hawk next opened his eyes. Only the faint light coming from the hole in the ceiling told him the sun had risen. The constant humming of wind left the cave echoing with ghostly chimes, like an enormous instrument of some kind.

Snow creaked and cracked beneath their shoes. The past plus degrees and flurries had turned into a dry, harsh cold during those days and nights Ren’i and Hawk spent hiding in the woods. There was no sign of any Liqaris. The only living beings whose presence Ren’i had felt were harmless wild animals, and he’d…

When Hawk came to, his first thought was that he was warm, so very warm and comfortable that for a moment he did not remember where he was. It was long since he’d last awoken feeling quite so safe and calm. Hawk inhaled slowly. The air was humid and heavy with the resinous scent of…

Hawk heard nothing the others shouted after him, if they shouted. He could only just make out Ren’i’s flaming hair through the snowstorm and made towards it, heart hammering in his chest.

Ren’i had thought himself too shaken to doze off again, but he was asleep within minutes from laying down. Hawk kept watch at the tent’s mouth. He’d taken one glance at the dark circles beneath Ren’i’s eyes and stated that he’d better go and catch some more sleep.

The next day dawned cloudy but still, and they cleaned up any signs of their camp with care before setting off. ”We’d best get going,” Ren’i said. ”We’ve wasted too many days already huddling in the cave.”

The Eastern Sea had sent blizzard after blizzard rolling over Seiye, and the Mori plains were blanketed by a cover of snow half a metre in depth once they reached land two days later. Winter showed no sign of having had enough of tormenting the southern continent. The Khuusian mountain range looming in the distance…

Hot air left the sand billowing, blowing it on the riders’ faces as their kooris carried them at a loping walk across the dunes. Ren’i coughed. Gusts turned the air even more dry and scorching, and he felt sand rasping between his teeth every time he clenched them together.

Tall flames roared in the hearth sunken to the floor, which only served to increase the temperature in the room. The long day of the desert had very nearly heated the elder’s house to resemble a sauna, but Hawk shivered as he took his place between Blueleaf and Silverbrook. Ared had given him permit of…

Eighthday dawned cloudless and scorching hot. Ren’i slept all the way until noon and no one came to rouse him, which was exceptional. He’d given his consuls orders that the summer festival day was to be a day off for everyone, and he was happy with his decision as he exited his tent. The sun…