‘I’m glad to see you,’ Asger said. ‘You’re coming with us, then?’

‘No,’ Drem said, dismounting from his pony. ‘But I wanted to give you my thanks, for your offer. It was a kind thing you did.’

‘Ach, lad, it was more to save my failing back!’ Asger grunted, though Drem saw his wife dig him with an elbow and heard the giggle of bairns somewhere beneath all the furs.

‘And maybe a hint of kindness,’ Asger admitted.

‘More than a hint,’ Drem said. ‘And I’ll not be forgetting it. Ever. When you came to see me yesterday, I thought I had nothing left to live for, and now I have two. You have a friend in me, Asger. For life.’ He looked the trader in the eye, as his da had often told him to do when you mean what you say, and Asger nodded.

‘Sure you want to stay?’ Asger said. ‘Kergard’s not what it was, and I think it’s only going to get worse.’

‘I’m sure you’re right, but I have some things to do. Have to do,’ Drem said. ‘But, there is one favour you could do for me. I’d be grateful.’

‘I’ll tell you when I know what this favour is,’ Asger said, a suspicious twist of his eyebrow.

Drem reached into a saddle bag and pulled out a package. It was about the size of a plate, wrapped tight in a cloak of black wool, tied with twine. Drem held it out, but Asger didn’t take it, just stared at it.

‘And where would you like me to be delivering this package of yours?’ Asger asked.

‘If you’re travelling south, you’ll most likely be passing their door,’ Drem said, his eyes earnest and hopeful.

‘Where?’ Asger repeated.

‘To Dun Seren. It is to be given into the hands of a warrior of their order. She goes by the name of Sig.’

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: RIV

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

RIV

Riv felt a jolt of fear and excitement with every marched step along the eastern road. She’d gone on plenty of patrols with Aphra’s hundred before, protecting a merchant convoy here, escorting state ambassadors there, even to restore peace where some dispute or other had turned bloody between villages or towns, like the incident between Bleda’s Clan and Jin’s. But this . . .

Kadoshim!

They might be fighting them, and soon. It was everything she’d trained for. Her whole purpose in becoming a White-Wing. It felt like some kind of lifetime fulfilment.