She tried to smile but her sight was swimming. ‘It’s been something, though, hasn’t it?’ ‘It has,’ said Javre, glancing over to Carcolf. ‘Look after her.’ Carcolf swallowed. ‘I’ll try.’ ‘Fail, and there will be no place in the Circle of the World where you will be safe from me.’ She laid that great, heavy, comforting hand on Shev’s shoulder one more time. ‘Fare you well, my friend.’ And she turned away, towards her mother. ‘Fare you well,’ whispered Shev, wiping her eyes.
