‘We’re the support,’ Tatum said. ‘We’ve been posted here for twelve months to assist in any way we can, with the aim of building relations between the two kingdoms.’

Isabel’s smile widened. ‘Really? You are to remain here for a whole year?’

‘There’s more,’ Hadewaye said, walking over to his horse. He pulled out a parcel wrapped in cloth and carried it over to Blackmane.

Blackmane let go of Isabel’s hand. ‘What’s this?’

‘That’s your uniform,’ Alveye said. ‘The warden asked us to give it to you.’

Blackmane stared down at it for the longest time before asking, ‘What’s the catch?’

Tatum frowned. ‘Well, you’ll have to work, for a start.’

‘I already work.’

Isabel reached up and touched his arm. ‘The man is gifting you a year.’ She gave him an encouraging smile. ‘Take it.’

Blackmane searched her eyes, then looked back at the others. ‘Who will be in command?’

‘Me, of course,’ Tatum replied.

Blackmane pretended to hand the uniform back to Hadewaye, and they all laughed. Isabel had trouble looking away from her husband on those rare occasions. His laughter felt as good as her own.

‘Shall I get some food cooking?’ Ita called from the front door.

Isabel looked back at her. ‘Yes. Coming.’ She turned to Blackmane and pushed up onto her toes to kiss him. ‘I will leave you to get the horses settled.’

‘We won’t be long.’

She walked off towards the house, her feet and heart light.

‘He looks happy,’ Ita said when Isabel reached the front door.

Isabel looked back at the four of them. Their banter carried on the breeze. ‘He really does.’

She glanced up at the sky where Margery was circling overhead, spying on the new arrivals, then headed inside.

The next morning, Blackmane changed into his uniform and paused at the mirrored glass on his way out of their bedroom. The sight warmed him. It was not the uniform he had missed but everything it represented. Putting it on felt a lot like home.

The smell of fried eggs and fresh bread had him heading for the kitchen, which was alive with conversation and laughter. Everyone was squashed around one table, listening to Tatum tell the story about the time Alveye woke up with a piglet in his bed with no recollection of how it got there.

‘The most likely answer is one of these three men put it there,’ Ita said as she set a plate of eggs in front of the defender.

Alveye waved his fork in Tatum’s direction. ‘That’s exactly what I said.’

Blackmane looked around for Isabel, then realised she was not among them.

‘She is out back,’ Gwenore said, reading his concerned expression.