‘I thought it better to wait for you.’

He did not reply, but knelt over Barak, gently removing the bandages from the wound on his back and examining it closely, then uncovering that dreadful stump, still oozing blood, white bones visible against the torn flesh. I closed my eyes. Gently, Guy replaced the bandages. He looked at me again, his face as sombre as I had ever seen it. ‘The wounds show no sign of infection – yet. They must be cleaned, properly. But he has lost enough blood to kill most men.’ He stood up briskly. ‘I must get fluid into him.’

‘Will he live?’

‘He is far more like to die,’ Guy answered starkly. I realized how hard it must be for him, having to treat a critically injured patient who was also a friend. ‘I knew something like this would happen, I knew it! Are there going to be any more men brought to me dead and crippled through whatever it is you are doing?’ His voice was full of rage.

‘No,’ I answered quietly. ‘It is over. It ended tonight.’

He looked at me, his face hard as stone. ‘Was it worth it, Matthew?’ There was an angry tremor in his voice. ‘Was it?’

‘I think one person was saved – a woman.’

‘Who? No, I think I can guess.’ He raised a hand. ‘Tell me nothing more.’

‘My master did not wish it to end like this,’ Nicholas said.

‘I do not doubt that,’ Guy answered in gentler tones. ‘Now, Master Nicholas, would you ride to Mistress Barak’s house, and fetch her here?’

I protested, ‘But in her condition – ’

‘Jack will probably die tonight,’ Guy said quietly. ‘What do you think Tamasin would say if she were denied the chance to be with him at the end?’

‘Then let me be the one to tell her.’

‘The boy will be quicker. I would rather have you here. And I may need your help if Francis is called away to other patients.’ He turned to Nicholas. ‘Tell Mistress Barak only that there has been an accident. Say I am in attendance.’

He nodded sombrely. ‘I will.’

‘Hurry now. Use my horse, it is outside. And tell Francis to come in and assist me.’

Nicholas looked at me. I nodded, and he hurried from the room. When he was gone Guy said quietly, ‘Can you face her?’

‘I must.’

He bent and opened his bag. Barak lay unmoving.