“A fire in one of the furthest buildings could work,” I said. My dreams had been swirling with flames ever since we had embarked on this journey. Fire followed in Ljósberari’s wake, so it seemed fitting that fire would be part of his ultimate downfall.

Hereward nodded.

“Then, in the confusion, we will go in and kill that bastard.”

“And Chlotar too,” said Runolf, his tone obdurate, brooking no dissent.

“Pray for us, Leofstan,” said Hereward. “If there has ever been a time for prayer, it is now.”

“Remember,” I said, imagining the chaos that would surround us if we managed to enact Hereward’s plan, “we have heard that many of Ljósberari’s people are children. Innocents. And if Aelfwyn and Revna are amongst them, we cannot leave until they are safe.”

Leofstan patted my shoulder, making me flinch at the unexpected touch.

“We must not allow the flames of our attack to consume those who are blameless for Ljósberari’s sins,” he said. Something in his tone made me wonder if he was concerned for the people or the fate of the book, if we put the buildings to the torch.

Hereward leaned forward, his voice low and sombre. It was so dark under the trees that I could only make out his shape by the absence of the reflected starlight on the river behind him.

“Our quarrel is not with children,” he said, “nor lowly thralls who have had no say in this madman’s actions. Things will not be simple when the fires are lit and the fighting starts. We will do our best to avoid killing those who do not deserve death. With God’s grace, your kin will be hale and well, and they will come to us when they understand what is happening.”

“If Revna is there,” said Runolf, “I will find her, and any man who stands in my way will feel the bite of my axe.”

“I will not leave without Aelfwyn,” said Eadmaer, who had been silent ever since the encounter with the bear.

“We will find her,” I said, hoping that would prove to be true. It was hard to imagine any good coming of this venture, but I clung to the possibility that my cousin could be saved. We had come too far to think otherwise.

“Now,” said Hereward, “get some rest. Who will take the first watch with me? I need two men.”

“I will guard with you,” I said.

The exhaustion that had smothered me earlier had fled, driven away by the bear’s roars and the vision of Bealdwulf’s death. I could not think of sleep yet. I was certain that as soon as I closed my eyes, I would see again Bealdwulf’s skull crushed in the jaws of the monstrous forest beast.

“I will watch too,” said Gwawrddur.