Arvin spluttered and coughed. His health was quickly deteriorating and it was infuriating him. He couldn't die now, not when so much was held in the balance.

Gil, the late Kumari's Wenheenie mate passed Arvin a cup of water before returning to his seat.

The five remaining mates were sat around the round table in the library. It wasn't pleasant. In the past they had sat around that table countless times but Kwin had always been at the top of the table. Only five out of eight ...