Khan Zada’s smile became even broader. ‘My people know these hills better than anyone,’ he explained. ‘Far better than the best of these Taliban vermin, who mostly grew up as worthless street filth in the city slums and could not survive one month out here in the open ground. There is a small pass that leads up the north face of the escarpment, hidden from view to those who are unaware of its existence. We heard the sounds of battle from a great way off, and rode faster than the wind to get here in time. These devils have visited my lands before, murdering innocent people and destroying all in their path. It was time that they were taught a lesson.’

He prodded Muhammad Omar Nabi’s headless body with his foot, looking down at it with contempt. ‘I am the one called a warlord. But these mangy dogs are the true bringers of blood and suffering in my country.’

Ben said, ‘I think some of my kind have brought a lot of that as well, in the past. And your own, Khan. None of us is clean of guilt.’

Khan Zada nodded sagely and gazed at Ben with his strangely penetrating eyes. ‘Then let us look to the future, when perhaps one day, inshallah, peace will return to this unhappy place.’

‘I wish it with all my heart,’ Ben replied sincerely, and they shook hands again. ‘Now if you’ll allow me, I have to see to my people.’

Chapter 51

A people sadly very much reduced. Out of the original group Ben had joined, only Wolf and Nobby Scraggs had survived. Prince Richard was the last man standing among his Pathfinders, who had fallen one by one in that last fierce round of fighting. Aziz and Ramin had managed to come through completely unscathed, the latter still dazed and finding it hard to believe he was still here.

Ben found Madison helping Father Bugnolio and Francine look after the children. The pair seemed to have formed a strong attachment. ‘All the children are safe and well,’ the priest said, crossing himself. ‘Thanks be to the Lord above.’

Ben would be happy to thank him afterwards. In the meantime, the problem was how they were going to get out of Afghanistan with no vehicles. The smouldering Humvee was never going anywhere again, and as suspected, Ben found that the truck’s engine compartment had been irreparably shredded by machine-gun fire. Which effectively meant they were stranded here, unless they could find a very good alternative, and soon.

When Ben put the problem to Khan Zada, the warlord grasped his arm with a pincer-like grip and replied, ‘Let it never be said that Khan Zada is not generous to his friends and allies. I can offer horses and men, and a safe passage through the mountains to wherever you must cross the border.’