‘I’m going to assume Isabel’s safe,’ Hadewaye said, ‘or you wouldn’t be here.’

Blackmane nodded. ‘She’s back at Maddock House. I’ll answer your other questions after I’ve spoken to the warden.’

Alveye’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. ‘About what?’

‘He needs to know I’m back, for a start.’ Blackmane shifted his weight. ‘And there’s another matter I need to discuss with him.’

‘What other matter?’ Tatum asked.

The warden exited the armoury and looked around, expression hardening when he saw Blackmane. The defender immediately broke away from the group and headed towards him, but the others only followed him.

‘Good to see you alive,’ Shapur said, frowning down at his clothes. ‘Where is your uniform?’

‘I took an unplanned swim in the moat, sir.’

Shapur nodded. ‘I gather Lady Isabel has been reunited with her family?’

‘Yes.’

‘And Hodge?’

‘Alive and well.’

‘Good.’ He gave a curt nod. ‘Go get yourself cleaned up.’

Blackmane glanced behind him to where the others were eavesdropping. ‘There’s a matter I wish to discuss.’

The warden sighed. ‘Go on.’

‘I’d like to return to Llanelieu.’ He paused. ‘To live.’

There was an exchange of colourful language behind him. Shapur glared in the direction of the other defenders until they fell silent.

‘I suspected there were feelings involved,’ the warden said, ‘but clearly I underestimated the extent of them. Surely you of all people are not foolish enough to throw everything away for a woman you barely know.’

That was a reasonable response. ‘I’d prefer not to throw anything away if I can help it. I have an idea I’d like to put forwards.’

Shapur crossed his arms. ‘I am listening.’

‘We’re all listening,’ Tatum said behind him, resulting in another warning glare from Shapur.

Blackmane cleared his throat. ‘King Becket has expressed on several occasions that he’s in support of Carmarthenshire’s independence and wishes to build relations with them in order to reduce threats outside our walls, and in hope of improved trade opportun—’

‘I am well aware of King Becket’s reasons for supporting them,’ Shapur said. ‘Get to the point.’

Blackmane nodded. ‘They need help setting up permanent and sustainable protection of the region. Those protecting them at present have no formal training and no income to support their families. There’s no structure. No long-term plan. They’re still living day to day because that’s what they’ve done for years. It’s all they know.’

Shapur was silent a moment. ‘And you would like to help with what, exactly?’

‘I could get their army into shape, help train the soldiers.’

‘That is an impossible task for one man.’

‘What about four men?’ Tatum asked, stepping forwards.

Shapur looked at the other defenders. ‘Suddenly you all wish to go to Llanelieu?’

‘We’re a team, sir,’ Hadewaye said.

Alveye nodded in agreement. ‘One goes, we all go.’

Blackmane’s throat felt uncomfortably tight suddenly.