By day, when Inric first walks through the main square, it is full of people walking, talking, buying, selling and mocking the man standing by the pole with his neck in a collar, watched by a bored-looking guard. Inric eyes Arvid from a distance, and settles on a bench out of sight, waiting for the evening. As night falls, the square empties, but Arvid remains by his pole, although the guard changes twice. He dozes restlessly in the light of the lamp on the nearby building, unable even to lie down on the paving stones because the chain from his collar to the pole is so short. Inric takes a moment to ensure the guard is asleep, then approaches. "Arvid." "Eh?" He starts awake with a jump. "You!" "Be quiet!" "The guard -" "Asleep. But he might wake if you are loud." "How did you get here? Where's Ylva? And Mathea?" "They are safe." "Have you seen my crew?"