"I don't think it's wise to shoot down at us in a small hole in the dark," Derrica says gently, before directing a grateful smile at Adrasteia in return for the knife. "It's too easy for one of us to get hit."

The preparations are brief: shawl shucked off, staff secured, knife tucked into the waistband of her trousers before she loops the rope over and over before cinching the end into a clever knot.