“Those guards will not be alerting anyone of our escape,” the Welshman said.

Aelfwyn flinched at his ominous words, and I wondered how well she knew the men who had been watching our prison. I reached out to her and squeezed her hand.

“I cannot believe you are here,” she murmured. I smiled, despite the dark circumstances of our meeting, thrilled to hear her voice again. “But I am more surprised that you brought Eadmaer with you. You really do have much to tell.”

I sensed Eadmaer would not be happy with her words. He was quick to take offence, but I knew Aelfwyn well and recognised the warmth in her tone when she mentioned her husband’s brother. But before either of us could say anything, Revna returned. She lugged a large sack over her slim shoulder. She must have hidden it nearby, for she had not been gone long. Swinging it down, she placed the sack gingerly on the ground. Heavy metallic items clattered together despite her care, the sounds terrifyingly loud.

“I could not carry your shields, helms or byrnies,” she whispered, “but most of your arms should be there.”

Stooping to the sack, we quickly retrieved our things. My plain sword was there and I thanked God that my belt was yet wrapped about its scabbard. I fastened the leather about my waist and immediately felt stronger and less vulnerable. The others pulled their weapons from the sack. Runolf hoomed deep in his throat as he withdrew his huge axe. The crescent of its blade gleamed in the cold light; a reflection of the moon.

All of my companions had found a weapon, and I sensed I was not alone in the feeling of my morale lifting. I rummaged in the sack once more, but I could already see that it was empty now. Neither of my seaxes were inside. The old, antler-handled one that I had taken from a brigand in Northumbria was no great loss, but I was saddened not to find the carved ivory-handled knife I had won on Orkneyjar. It was a thing of wonder and I was sorry to lose such a valuable thing.

I shook my head at the stupidity of my greed. To own a fine seax would matter nought if we did not escape.

“Come, we can tarry no longer,” said Hereward.

Revna led the way. We followed as quietly as we could, Gersine limping beside Drosten. We were moving slowly, so he was able to keep up, but I did not wish to think what would occur if we were called upon to run.

The shadows of the scattered buildings were black against the darkness of the mountain slopes in the east. With a start I saw that the sky beyond was already lightening. Dawn was still some way off, but the grey wolf-light of its approach was the harbinger of sunrise.