We sit, and I see Brother Nanse-Kam makes sure that Tarquin's bowl is filled to the brim. I'm very glad; at least today he'll have a good meal. And maybe more, if he stays. I bow my head as we say grace, praying in my own mind to the one true God, and then we settle to eat. The air is filled with the clink of cutterly and the soft chatter of many voices.

I'd hoped that here Tarquin would be more relaxed, but he seems to have tensed up. He stares at the stew hungrily, but doesn't eat. "I've been alright, bit of a beating a while back but I recovered, guy called Jarmyn fixed me up and fed me, been sleeping in an abandoned house and sorting my own food."

"Beating?" I say, startled. I was in the middle of taking my own dishes and spoon out of my bag - I always keep them with me, just in case - but now I pause. "You were attacked?"