‘Perhaps they know something we don’t,’ said Einar, picking a strand of mutton from his teeth and tossing the bone to Aska, who dropped to the ground and started gnawing at it eagerly. ‘Someone coming, look.’ A small cloud of dust was moving down the hillside in the distance, cutting north away from the Arabs’ position towards the Judas tree under which they stood. The agreed meeting point with Davit when he returned. Standing alone on the ridge brow, it wasn’t exactly discreet. Since Davit had left to carry word to the city its branches had bloomed into a blast of pink blossom. In the north, such signs meant the raiding season was close at hand, and sea-kings would be mustering their crews. Here in the south, the blossom came earlier. And so did war.

The sun was well clear of the horizon when the horseman reached their position.

‘You’re a damn ugly rider, you know that?’ called Einar.

‘I’ll not take lessons in elegance from a barrel of northern lard,’ Davit called back.

‘What word from the city?’ said Erlan impatiently.

Davit jumped from his saddle. ‘The Egyptian fleet is man-oeuvring south of the Marmara gates. The emperor has given Arbasdos his orders. He’s refitting our fire-ships in the Horn as we speak.’

‘Then this’ll be a day of death like no other,’ growled Einar ominously.

‘What’s Leo’s message for the khan?’

‘To deploy his horde however he thinks best. Only that he must hold off his attack until he sees the beacon fires lit. Timing is all, he says.’

‘Good. Better get moving then.’ Erlan turned to his horse.

Davit caught his arm. ‘Not you. Leo wants you to report to him. Personally.’ He tipped his head at the fat man. ‘Both of you.’

The two Northmen exchanged a look. ‘Who knew we were so popular?’ said Einar.

‘He said as soon as possible,’ continued Davit. ‘You can circle north and enter the city via the Horn. That way is clear for now.’

By the time they reached the palace, the corridors and colonnades were filled with court officials all in a hurry somewhere, ladies-in-waiting twittering past in a cloud of perfume, palace guardsmen marching by. Not exactly panic, but urgency laced the air everywhere.

They found Emperor Leo enthroned in the Golden Hall. He interrupted his business as soon as they were announced. ‘I had started to wonder what had become of you,’ he said when they stood before him.

Erlan bowed his head. ‘The muster took time, Majesty.’

‘There were times I thought we’d lost you completely.’

‘There were dangerous moments—’

‘Not to danger, Northman,’ he snapped. ‘To desertion!’

‘Desertion? Why should we desert? Our queen remains within the protection of the city. Your ally—’

‘Is she?’ Those flat eyes glared imperiously.

Erlan frowned. ‘Do you have reason to think she is not?’

‘Huh! Then you don’t know.’