He struggled to organise his thoughts, to find a way that might even begin to explain. Eventually he came up with a single word to describe himself. ‘Empty,’ he muttered. That was it. That was how he felt. Empty. As if somebody had taken a great spoon and scooped out all the good and decent parts of him, leaving this worthless husk behind.

She nodded, then took a deep breath before going on. ‘I’m sorry. I really am. I can understand that you don’t want my thanks. But … you saved my brother. You saved me.’ She frowned, considering her words. ‘And there are others who owe you their thanks, those you will never meet. Frindr Oknhammer was a man of violence, who killed indiscriminately for anyone willing to pay his price. He had done so in the past, and he would have gone on to kill again. But you stopped him. So, I’m also thanking you for their lives too.’

‘Killing is killing.’

‘No.’ Her voice took on a hard edge that made him look up. ‘Not all killing is wrong, Lann. These times we live in have shown us that. My father killed thousands.’ She paused, as if it were difficult for her to utter these words. ‘He killed them with his armies so his own people could live and prosper. It’s what a king does. Maybe those deaths left him feeling like you do now … Empty. And yet, he was not a bad man. He did what he felt had to be done to protect his people. He taught me that sometimes it is hard to do what is right. So no, killing is not just killing.’

They sat in silence for a few moments. Lann eventually broke the silence.

‘Thank you. I think I needed to hear that.’

‘Good.’ Her voice changed and became softer again. ‘I know it isn’t an easy thing to live with. But you saved many lives. Remember that, Lann.’

He gave her a nod.

She stood and held out her hand. ‘Now. Come with me.’

‘What for?’

Her expression was impish now. ‘You’ll need decent clothes.’

‘Clothes?’

‘You don’t want to meet King Erik looking like a street beggar, do you?’

He paused, but it was clear she was not going to leave. Her hand was still held out to him, her eyes fixed on his.

‘It’s not a request, Lann,’ she said. ‘This is a royal order. Now, come on.’

24

‘… The lands running down to the Gulf of Rikkor are now owned by Jarl Lannigon Gudbrandr.’ King Erik smiled down at Lann, giving him a small nod. ‘He will safeguard and serve the people therein and be fair in all his dealings with them.’