SILENTLY THANKING IGNATIUS FOR LOADING me up with so many weapons, I groped around my armour, hunting for the thin blade of elendite I knew he'd stashed somewhere.

'Aha!' I whispered in triumph, slipping the blade out from under the rapthna plating on my lower back. 'Will this be strong enough?'

'Should be,' Alek breathed the words, his fingers exploring the blade. 'You don't usually carry this?'

'Thank Iggy,' I whispered, then pushed him back. 'Sit straight, I'd ...