‘I did want to rule, you know,’ he said quietly. ‘But I never thought it would be like this.’

She nodded sympathetically. ‘The ritual to restore your memory will have diminished your strength. I will make you up some restoratives.’

‘Are you satisfied with the decision to allow my sister to join you and Lann? I should have consulted you first.’

The witch glanced towards the door. ‘She is a resourceful young woman and a great fighter. I have no doubt Lann can learn much from her.’ She hesitated.

‘But?’

‘But she has no knowledge of the Art. There will be dark majik ahead, and I fear for her.’

He nodded thoughtfully. ‘The lich – the thing that inhabited my mind and body – it could do the same to her, couldn’t it?’

‘It could.’ She paused. ‘I am having a small pendant made by your royal blacksmith. Marked on it will be powerful symbols that should help to protect her.’

‘This pendant is already being made?’

‘It is.’

He frowned. ‘It seems that you had foreknowledge Astrid would be joining you.’

‘I thought there was every chance a Rivengeld would be coming along. I just didn’t know which one.’

He stared broodingly into the distance. ‘I wish that it were me.’

‘You have much work to do here. It would be reckless for you to leave your kingdom after everything that has happened so recently. Kings are cursed with always having to do the things they must and not the things they want.’

‘Can you see the fate of my sister on this quest?’

‘No. But you know that Lann and I will do everything in our power to keep her from harm.’

He nodded his thanks, suddenly looking extremely weary again.

‘You are not sleeping,’ she said. It was more of a statement than a question.

‘No.’

‘You are having nightmares since the restoration of your memories.’

‘I have had some strange dreams, yes.’

The witch offered the king a sad smile. ‘They will not last forever. Your mind has been wounded by terrible traumas, and dreams are its way of coming to terms with those things. It is beginning to mend itself.’

He nodded his appreciation. ‘I find that I can be honest with you. When this enterprise is at an end, will you grant me the pleasure of your company again? Return here with Astrid and Jarl Gudbrandr, even if for a short while?’

She hesitated and was about to say something when she stopped herself. Instead she smiled and bowed her head. ‘I would like that very much, Your Grace.’

‘Please,’ he held up a hand. ‘When we are alone, I would like you to call me Erik.’

‘I think I would find that hard, my King, but I will try.’

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