Hereward nodded and lurched upright, holding the splintered doorframe for support. He could see nothing beyond Fitz, who stood a few paces away, but he could easily envision the many corpses that would be floating in the refilled harbour pool, or drifting out to the gorge beyond.

“She was right,” he said.

Fitz cocked his head in question.

“Meat and water,” replied Hereward. “I suppose that is all we are, in the end.”

Fitz did not answer, but still looked on, his pose unchanged.

“Present company excepted,” added Hereward.