‘So you like the fights, do you?’

‘Well, not all o’ ’em,’ said Kieran. ‘I never liked the death matches, now. Too gory fer me.’

‘Death matches?’

‘Y’know, when they fight to the death.’

Albert turned sharply to look at him. ‘To the death? They fight to the death?’

‘Oh, not any more. Father put a stop to ’em. But they still get pretty brutal sometimes, y’know. But there’s some good action that happens, too.’

‘I think most of the valley agrees. Look at the crowd.’

‘Aye, you never know who you’ll run into here. I even spotted the Commander here today. Look, there he is!’

Albert looked where he was pointing, and sure enough, there was Ucho, standing almost next to the platform, his distinctive bun of hair looking a little dishevelled. No doubt he hadn’t had it easy getting in that close.

‘So does everyone come to the fights?’

‘Well, some do and some don’t. The Cap’n never does. Joe don’t like it, neither. Same with Father an’ some o’ the old folks. But there’s others who’s always here, every time.’

‘Well, it should be quite the experience.’

‘Aye, you’ll get yer money’s worth. Unless yer a bettin’ man! Ha ha!’

‘Oh, no, I’m not, but if I were, I’d be willing to bet Vail must be quite happy with the size of the crowd. He’s speaking after this, I believe.’

Kieran turned, the smile disappearing from his face. When he spoke, his voice was distinctly lower. ‘Yeah, well, I don’ think I’ll be around that long. I’m jus’ here fer the fight, y’know?’

‘Oh, that’s too bad. Although I must say, quite the audience he’s going to have tonight. Pretty smart of him to talk after the fights. Must help pull in a lot of people for him.’

Kieran looked at him. ‘You don’ understand, do yer?’ No doubt about it, he was whispering.

‘What?’

‘The fights don’ pull in people fer ’im. ’E pulls in people fer the fights.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The crowd ain’t here fer the fights. Lots o’ em, yeah. But most o’ ’em’s ’ere fer Vail.’

‘But this must be everyone in the valley!’

‘Naw, not really. Not even half. Not even close ter it, actually.’

‘But are you saying people would rather follow him than Father?’

Kieran stared at him, his face hard. ‘I ain’t sayin’ anythin’. But I’m leavin’ after the fight. Yer can come with me if yer want.’

Albert nodded, not knowing what to say. It was clear Kieran didn’t want to discuss the matter. They stood in silence for a while, insofar as three hundred people yelling at the top of their lungs could be called silence.

Then Kieran elbowed him hard. ‘Look! It’s starting!’