‘In the middle of the night?’ ‘He did, so best not delay. And keep your voice down. You’ll wake the whole dorm.’ ‘I doubt it, after all they drank tonight.’ ‘Just be quick.’ ‘You’re Nell, right?’ ‘Nellion Paree.’ A cloud crossed his face. ‘Rosette’s Nell?’ She nodded. ‘Get your gear.’ ‘My guitars?’ he asked, looking under his bunk. ‘Flutes, whistles and pipes?’ He squinted at Nell in the candlelight. ‘It’s a festival performance? I don’t feel much like entertaining. I told him that.’ ‘You might change your mind when we get there,’ Nell said, tossing him his cloak. ‘Bring as much as you can carry. Tuning forks, strings, picks, the lot,’ Nell directed, ‘and bring your sword. Do you remember how to use it?’ ‘I do.’ He screwed up his face when they got to the portal. ‘Why are we taking so much water?’ ‘You’ll see.’ Kreshkali had to slap his face to wake him. ‘What happened?’ Clay asked. ‘You passed out. Feeling better now?’ ‘I’m okay.’ He gripped his sword hilt.
