ELENA APPEARED DELIGHTED WHEN WE reported the progress to her in the library after dinner. It had been a productive day for her too, and she announced that the men would drop Leseach at the first village in two days' time. Alek, Rumal and Daron would go this time, so we'd be left to practice with the Lieutenants for possibly three days.

'I hope it's only two,' I said to Alek as we climbed into bed.

'Me too. Though it'll be interesting to see how she does it. And it's ...