‘Face me. I will be your witness this night, and we alone will know of it. Give me your words of sorrow, Wickan, and I will listen. Hood knows, it would serve me well right now.’

‘I flee no-one,’ the warrior rasped.

‘I know. I just wanted to get your attention.’

‘Who are you?’

‘Nobody. And that is how I will stay, if you like. Nor will I ask for your name—’

‘I am Temul.’

‘Ah, well. So your bravery puts me in my place. My name is Fiddler.’

‘Tell me,’ Temul’s voice was suddenly harsh, and he wiped angrily at his face, ‘did you think my grief a noble thing? Did I weep for Coltaine? For my fallen kin? I did not. My pity was for myself! And now you may go. Proclaim me – I am done with commanding, for I cannot command myself—’

‘Easy there, I’ve no intention of proclaiming anything, Temul. But I can guess at your reasons. Those wrinkled Wickans of the Crow, is my guess. Them and the survivors who walked off Gesler’s ship of wounded. They won’t accept you as their leader, will they? And so, like children, they blunt you at every turn. Defy you, displaying a mocking regard to your face then whispering behind your back. And where does that leave you? You can’t challenge them all, after all—’

‘Perhaps I can! I shall!’

‘Well, that will please them no end. Numbers alone will defeat your martial prowess. So you will die, sooner or later, and they will win.’

‘You tell me nothing I do not know, Fiddler.’

‘I know. I’m just reminding you that you’ve good reason to rail at the injustice, at the stupidity of those you would lead. I had a commander once, Temul, who was faced with the same thing you’re facing. He was in charge of a bunch of children. Nasty children at that.’

‘And what did he do?’

‘Not much, and ended up with a knife in his back.’

There was a moment of silence, then Temul barked a laugh.

Fiddler nodded. ‘Aye, I’m not one for stories with lessons in life, Temul. My mind bends to more practical choices.’

‘Such as?’

‘Well, I would imagine that the Adjunct shares your frustration. She wants you to lead, and would help you do so – but not so you lose face. She’s too clever for that. No, the key here is deflection. Tell me, where are their horses right now?’

Temul frowned. ‘Their horses?’