‘Nobody won that day, Lannigon, except Kria, the goddess of death. The losses to both sides were awful, but more so for the invaders. With no means of escape, only a single Hasz’een warrior was spared to leave this valley, sent back across the waters to warn the Hasz never to come back to the Six Kingdoms. King Mjor ordered the slaughter of every other surviving enemy. It was not an order he gave lightly. There was no honour in it, and it was not the Volken way. But he’d decreed it necessary if the westerners were to be convinced never to return and try again.’ She paused. ‘I hope I never see anything like it again.’

‘You were there?’

She nodded and turned to face him. ‘I was. And so was your mother. We, and others of our kind, treated the sick and dying after the battle. Those we could not save we made comfortable, and we made sure each Volken man and woman was laid on the funeral pyres with iron in their hands so they might join their fellow warriors in the great halls.’

‘What of the Hasz’een dead?’

‘King Mjor ordered they be left in the open for the birds and wolves and flies to feast upon. Your mother and I hated to do that, but we did as we were bid.’

He looked over at his beautiful aunt and gave a little shake of his head. ‘I always forget how old you are.’

‘Despite your blade giving you the ability to see me as I really am?’

‘I choose not to see that.’

‘Why?’

‘Hmm?’

‘Why do you choose to see me like this and not as I really am?’

Lann thought about this for a second. ‘I guess it’s because I remember you saying how you and my mother looked alike. When I’m with you, I like to imagine how she might have been.’ A wind blew up the hill, tousling his hair. ‘Why are they still here?’ he said, nodding down at the valley. ‘The ghosts of the Volken dead?’

‘This was their greatest day. Our people, for all their love of the land, are warriors. The men and women who fell here that day were part of a victory that has never been rivalled. They choose to stay here and relive that time each and every day for all eternity.’

He turned to look at her. ‘You wanted to stop here for a reason, didn’t you?’

‘Yes.’ She gave a little nod. ‘The Hasz’een are worshippers of Lorgukk. Their society is built on a foundation of fear and violence, and they would like nothing more than to return and take the people of these lands by force. If their god returns to this world I don’t think there is anything that could stop them.’

‘Then we must ensure the dark god is not given that opportunity.’