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thespoinís . It may be that they are now afraid because they have shot at Mark, and that they try only to persuade Colin to be silent – and that Colin is even now searching for his brother. I do not know. It may be that there is no danger at all.’
    â€˜But you don’t believe that.’
    In the pause before he answered, I heard, high overhead in the darkening sky, the call of some late-going gulls. The sound was muted by distance, and very lonely.
    â€˜No,’ he said at length, ‘I do not believe it. There is danger here. The man I saw, he was dangerous, as a wild beast is dangerous. And the men Mark spoke of . . . yes, there is danger, I can feel it. It is in the air of these mountains.’
    I smiled, I hope cheerfully. ‘Perhaps that’s only because you’re not used to them. You’ve become a city bird, like me. High mountains frighten me now.’
    He said seriously: ‘The city, the hills, they are all the same, where there are wicked men. When I was a child, in my village, it was the same. We were afraid in our houses, in our own beds . . . only then, for a young boy, the war was also exciting. But this . . . no, not now.’
    There was a sound from inside the hut, the rustle of dried leaves and a sighing breath, then silence again.
    Lambis lowered his voice. ‘I must go. I will bring everything I can carry. Be careful, thespoinís .’
    â€˜Nicola.’
    â€˜Nicola, then.’
    â€˜Goodbye, and good luck.’ I swallowed. ‘You be careful, too. We’ll see you soon. And for pity’s sake don’t fall and break a leg in the dark . . . How long do you think it will take?’
    â€˜I shall wait for daylight. Perhaps three hours after that.’
    â€˜Right,’ I said, as steadily as I could, ‘And if you’re not back by noon, I’ll come and look for you .’
    â€˜Okay.’
    He was soon invisible down the darkening hillside. His steps faded. I heard the crack of a twig, then, more faintly, the rattle of a displaced stone, and then silence.
    The seabirds had gone. To the east, beyond the high towers of rock, the sky looked clouded, but from here to the sea it seemed clear, deepening rapidly towards night. The early stars, king stars, burned there already, bright and steadfast. I remembered that last night there had been a moon of a kind, a pale quarter, waning, like silver that is polished so thin that it has begun to wear away . . .
    Beside me, the entrance to the hut gaped black, like a cave mouth. The hut itself crouched back against the rock as if huddling there for protection, as indeed it was. I glanced from it again up at the night sky. For Lambis’ sake, I hoped there would be a moon, any sort of a moon, rising clear of the clouds, and dealing even a little light. But for my own, and Mark’s, no night could be dark enough.
    I shook the thought away. It did not do to think about the possibility of our being found. We would not be found. And if we were, the whole thing was a mistake, and there was no danger at all. None.
    On this reflection – or bit of mental bluster – It turned and groped my way into the darkness of the hut.
    â€˜Lambis?’
    So he was awake. I went quietly across towards the voice, and sat down at the edge of the brushwood bed.
    â€˜Lambis has gone down to the boat, to get supplies, and to see if Colin’s there.’
    â€˜You?’
    â€˜Yes. Now don’t worry, please. Someone had to go down. We couldn’t either of us get stuff in the village, and I didn’t know the way to the boat. He’ll be back by morning. Are you hungry?’
    â€˜What? No. A bit thirsty. But look, this is nonsense. I thought you’d have been safe in your hotel by this time. You ought to go, they’ll ask questions.’
    â€˜No, I told you, I’m not expected till tomorrow. My cousin Frances was delayed, and she