The expedition that the Sovinec garrison undertook to the south must have been successful and profitable. The foot soldiers returned cheerful and were filling themselves with even more cheer. Some, judging by their slurred speech and singing, were close to becoming cheerful to the point of unconsciousness.

Three things in this world soothe a wound like honey,

Wine and girls aplenty and a pouch full of money.

“Horn?”

“Yes, Reinmar.”

“How did you find out that Schilling deserted? And that Ungerath had him and wanted to exchange him for his son?”

“I have my sources.”

“Very pithy. I have no further questions.”

“Just as well.”

“Rather than ask, I will state: Schilling was the only reason for your expedition to the Olza.”

“Indeed,” Horn admitted after a moment of silence interrupted by the hooting of owls. “For me. For others, the reason was Kochłowski. Were it not for Kochłowski, I wouldn’t have got from Korybut either the men from Odry or the money. Kochłowski is an important figure in the arms trade. And Jan of Kravaře’s change of colours and sides was simply a very fortunate stroke of luck, nothing more. Anticipating your next question: I didn’t even know about you. But I was pleased to see you.”

“That’s kind of you.”

The sounds from the courtyard had quietened down. Some of the slightly less-drunk vassals were still singing. But less jolly songs were beginning to dominate in their repertoire.

I came from the earth to the earth,

I found my good sense on the earth,

I walk on it like a lord,

I shall be buried in it…

“Horn?”

“Yes, Reinmar.”

“I don’t know your plans in this regard, but I think…”

“Tell me what you think.”

“I think we ought to keep what we know about Perferro secret. We have no idea who may have been poisoned, and even if we did, we have no way of helping. If, though, rumours about the poison spread, then confusion, panic and fear will break out and the Devil knows what consequences there will be. We ought to keep quiet.”

“You read my thoughts.”

“The two of us and Schilling know about Perferro. Schilling won’t leave Sovinec, I fancy. He won’t get out and start gossiping.”

“You fancy correctly.”

“In spite of the pledge he was given?”

“Indeed. What are you getting at, Reynevan? You had a reason for starting this conversation, after all.”

“You asked me for help and I helped you. Almost a week has gone by. You’ve stopped interrogating Schilling about matters concerning magic, while every hour and every day I spend at Sovinec reminds me that somewhere far away Jutta is imprisoned and is hoping to be rescued. So I mean to leave. As soon as possible. After reassuring you that everything I found out here, particularly about Perferro, I shall keep secret. I shall never reveal it to anyone.”