YAKOV WAITED DOWNSTAIRS AND GRINNED at Alek as he arrived. 'I was about to give up on you.'

'I was busy.'

Yakov gave him a knowing look. 'Mm. Shall we go?'

They walked to the Keep's gate then set off at a decent pace on the track Yakov had run yesterday.

'Good to go faster?' Alek asked.

'Sounds good.'

This was just what I needed, he thought. The track flashed by as his feet pounded the earth, arms pumping. The burn in his legs and chest egged ...