‘Better late than never,’ Baria growled. A hint of a smile showed in his oiled beard. ‘Historian.’ He raised a gauntleted fist, opened it. At the gesture the troop of Red Blades resumed their canter to the ford, Mesker alone flinging a dark glare Duiker’s way as he rode past.

The pale light of dawn edged its way into the valley. Above the Sekala an impenetrable cloud of dust eased crossways to the faint breeze, descending on the ford itself, then staying there. The entire crossing was obscured. Duiker grunted. ‘Nice touch, that.’

‘Sormo,’ Corporal List said. ‘It’s said he’s awakened the spirits of the land and the air. From a sleep of centuries, for even the tribes have left those ways behind. Sometimes you can ... smell them.’

The historian glanced at the young man. ‘Smell?’

‘Like when you flip a big rock over. The scent that comes up. Cool, musty.’ He shrugged. ‘Like that.’

An image of List as a boy – only a few years younger than he was now – flashed into Duiker’s mind. Flipping rocks. A world to explore, the cocoon of peace. He smiled. ‘I know that smell, List. Tell me, these spirits – how strong are they?’

‘Sormo says they’re pleased. Eager to play.’

‘A spirit’s game is a man’s nightmare. Well, let’s hope they take their play seriously.’

The mass of refugees – Duiker saw as he resumed his study of the situation – had been pushed off the oxbow island, across the ford road, to the south slope and swampy bed of the old oxbow channel. There were too many for the space provided, and he saw the far edge of the crowd creeping onto the hills beyond. A few had taken to the river, south of the ford, and were moving slowly out into the current.

‘Who is in charge of the refugees?’

‘Elements of the Crow Clan. Coltaine has his Wickans oversee them – the refugees are as scared of them as they are of the Apocalypse.’

And the Wickans won’t be bought, either.

‘There, sir!’ List pointed to the east.

The enemy positions that Duiker had ridden between the night before had begun moving. The Sialk and Hissar infantry were on the right, Hissari lancers on the left and Tithansi horsewarriors down the centre. The two mounted forces surged forward towards the Weasel Clan’s defences. Mounted Wickan bowmen accompanied by lancers rode out to meet them. But the thrust was a feint, the Hissari and Tithansi wheeling west before locking antlers. Their commanders had called it too fine, however, as the Wickan bowmen had edged into range. Arrows flew. Riders and horses fell.