‘Well met, Queen Nara,’ Sig said, giving her best try at a bow. It was more a stiff lean from her hips, for Sig was not used to bowing. Cullen made a better job of it, though his arm in a sling didn’t help.

‘Enough of that,’ Nara said, looking up at Sig. ‘There’s no need for ceremony between us, Sig. I have long hoped to meet you, who knew my great-grandparents and founders of the realm of Ardain. To think that you spoke with Queen Edana and King Conall,’ she said wistfully. ‘And you, Cullen, my cousin.’ Nara looked Cullen up and down a long moment, serious eyes fixing on his face, her lips pursed. ‘There is a statue of King Conall in Dun Taras, and I can see his likeness in you.’

‘I am told I am most like my great-grandmother, Coralen, who was Conall’s sister,’ Cullen said.

Perhaps that is why you throw yourself so willingly into every battle, Sig thought, remembering Coralen fondly. Sig had admired Coralen’s ferocity and skill, remembered the first time she’d seen her, fighting traitorous giants from Sig’s own Clan, the Jotun. She looked at Cullen, at his red hair and the set of his shoulders and jaw. But there is something of your great-grandfather in you, too. A kindness about you. Sig’s mind was suddenly full of Corban, the man who had founded their Order. The Bright Star after whom it was named. The man she had grown to respect above all others. She felt a stab of pain at the thought of Corban, barely dulled by the passage of time.

You are greatly missed, Bright Star.

‘Perhaps, if you are staying here long enough, you could tell me something of my ancestors,’ Nara said to Sig. ‘It would be a fine thing to talk to someone who actually knew Edana and Conall, who spoke with them, drank with them, fought with them.’

‘I did all of those things,’ Sig said. ‘Edana and Conall were strong allies in those early days in the fight against the Kadoshim, and faithful friends to Corban, the founder of our Order.’

‘Aye.’ Nara nodded. ‘And nothing has changed there; there will always be a bond between my realm and the swords of Dun Seren.’

‘I do not doubt that,’ Sig said.

‘To prove that my words are not just air, I have something for you,’ Nara said. ‘A group of my young warriors-in-training have volunteered to accompany you back to Dun Seren. More than forty or so who wish to become warriors of your Order.’

‘That is good news,’ Sig said, ‘for which I am most grateful. The fight goes on, and fresh recruits are ever needed.’ Her eyebrows knitted together. ‘Riding to Dun Seren does not mean they will remain, though. Our training is hard. It tests both strength of sinew and strength of heart.’

‘As it should,’ Queen Nara said. ‘It is a noble cause.’