“Five all told, and four of ’em women?” Swolle grinned. “A dozen should do it.”

Faithful kept his eyes on Shivers. “Still. Make it three score, like I said, just in case there’s more at the party than we’re expecting. I’d be all embarrassed to arrive at a job short-handed.”

“Sir.” And Swolle shouldered his way out through the tent flap.

Shivers shrugged. “Have it your way.”

“Why, that I will. You can depend on it.” Faithful turned to his frowning captains. “Any of you old bastards want to come out on the hunt?”

Sesaria shook his big head, long hair swaying. “This is your mess, Faithful. You can swing the broom.”

“I’ve foraged enough for one night.” Andiche was already pushing out through the flap, a few others following in a muttering crowd, some looking suspicious, some looking careless, some looking drunk.

“I too must take my leave, General Carpi.” The speaker stood out among all these rough, scarred, dirty men, if only ’cause nothing much about him stood out. He had a curly head of hair, no weapon Shivers could see, no scar, no sneer, no fighter’s air of menace in the least. But Faithful still chuckled up to him like he was a man needed respect.

“Master Sulfur!” Folding his hand in both of his big paws and giving it a squeeze. “My thanks for stopping by. You’re always welcome here.”

“Oh, I am loved wherever I go. Easy to remain on good terms with the man who brings the money.”

“Tell Duke Orso, and your people at the bank, they’ve nothing to worry on here. It’ll all be taken care of, like we discussed. Just as soon as I’ve dealt with this little problem.”

“Life does love to throw up problems, doesn’t it?” Sulfur gave Shivers a splinter of a smile. He had odd-coloured eyes, one blue, one green. “Happy hunting, then.” And he ambled out into the dawn.

Faithful was back in Shivers’ face right away. “An hour’s ride, you said?”

“If you move quick for your age.”

“Huh. How do you know she won’t have missed you by then, slipped away?”

“She’s asleep. Husk sleep. She smokes more o’ that shit every day. Half her time drooling with it, the rest drooling for it. She won’t be waking any time soon.”

“Best to waste no time, though. That woman can cause unpleasant surprises.”

“That’s a fact. And she’s expecting help. Two-score men from Rogont, coming by tomorrow afternoon. They’re planning to shadow you, lay an ambush as you turn south.”

“No better feeling than flipping a surprise around, eh?” Faithful grinned. “And you’ll be riding at the front.”

“For a tenth part o’ the take I’ll ride at the front side-saddle.”

“Just in front will do. Right next to me and you can point out the ground. We honest men need to stick together.”

“That we do,” said Shivers. “No doubt.”

“Alright.” Faithful clapped his big hands and rubbed them together. “A piss, then I’m getting my armour on.”