Lilla gave a little shrug and smiled. ‘He is strong, brave and loyal. I trust him with my life.’

‘It’s a wonder you can do without them,’ replied Leo, with another sardonic flick of his eyebrow. At length he nodded, making the little crosses hanging from his diadem jingle. ‘Very well. We shall test your northern mettle. Do you swear an oath to me then, before Almighty God?’

‘I know nothing of your god, Majesty,’ said Erlan. ‘An oath before him would mean nothing. But I’ll swear according to our ways. The goddess Var is witness to our oath.’

‘No Christian emperor can accept a pagan oath. . . On the other hand, I suppose one soldier can accept the word of another. Come then! Swear on this Var of yours and begin your service.’

‘Before I do, I ask one condition, Majesty.’

‘Condition?’

‘When the siege is at an end, if I have served you well, that I be released from my oath to return to the north. Queen Lilla has unfinished business there. My place is beside her to see it accomplished.’

‘Hm,’ he grunted. ‘You know many would not dare speak to an emperor like that.’

‘I meant no offence.’ His eyes flicked to Lilla. ‘But without your assent to this, I cannot serve you.’

‘I see your queen means much to you.’

‘I owe her much already, Majesty.’

Leo gave an abrupt snort. ‘You’re right, Queen Lilla. This one is loyal indeed. . . Although I heard he holds few qualms for those to whom he owes nothing.’

‘Majesty?’

‘Lord Katāros tells me you slew Arbasdos’s best spatharios. The general will not love you for it.’

‘I don’t suppose he does. The fight was his choice, my lord.’

‘No doubt.’ The emperor nodded thoughtfully. ‘Did you know you had a friend in the general’s household?’ So saying, he signalled to an attendant. The man vanished into one of the recesses surrounding the huge octagonal hall and returned quickly. In his hands was an object Erlan knew only too well.

Wrathling.

‘Silanos sent this here. A gift for his emperor, he said. Although he must have known I have no need of it. I believe he meant it to come back to you.’ He took it from the servant and held it out to Erlan, hilt first. Erlan took it and felt a thrill of recognition as his fingers curled around its grip.

‘It suits you well.’

Erlan dropped to his knees. ‘Majesty.’

‘Come, Northman. On your feet – please. There’s time enough for grovelling.’ He nodded to Lilla. ‘Well, Queen Lilla. So be it. Your man shall serve me till death, or else the siege is ended. Whichever comes the sooner.’

‘Majesty,’ she murmured, bowing her head, but not before her eyes had flashed in triumph at Erlan.