Barey. Now you know the lay of the land."

"Does the woman Sullenbode live near here?"

"Near enough." Haunte grinned.

He leaped out of the boat and, pushing past the others without
ceremony, walked straight into the cave.

Maskull followed, with Corpang at his heels. A few stone steps led
to a doorway, curtained by the skin of some large beast. Their host
pushed his way in, never offering to hold the skin aside for them.
Maskull made no comment, but grabbed it with his fist and tugged it
away from its fastenings to the ground. Haunte looked at the skin,
and then stared hard at Maskull with his disagreeable smile, but
neither said anything.

The place in which they found themselves was a large oblong cavern,
with walls, floor, and ceiling of natural rock. There were two
doorways: that by which they had entered, and another of smaller size
directly opposite. The cave was cold and cheerless; a damp draft
passed from door to door. Many skins of wild animals lay scattered
on the ground. A number of lumps of sun-dried flesh were hanging on
a string along the wall, and a few bulging liquor skins reposed in a
corner. There were tusks, horns, and bones everywhere. Resting
against the wall were two short hunting spears, having beautiful
crystal heads.

Haunte set down the two male stones on the ground, near the farther
door; their light illuminated the whole cave. He then walked over to