They avoided towns and villages, but not giving them such a wide berth for Reynevan not to be able to work out where they were. He was familiar enough with the terrain to be sure he’d seen the bell tower of the parish church of Saint Florian in Wiązów. Thus he was being taken along the Nysa road, making directly southward from Wrocław. Nysa appeared not to be their destination, however. Regarding the rest of the route there were too many options: from Nysa, five roads headed off in various directions, not counting the road they were on.

“Where are you taking me?”

“Shut your trap.”

They stopped for the night on the far side of Nysa. And Reynevan recognised a friend.

“Paszko? Paszko Rymbaba?”

The mercenary who brought him bread and water stopped abruptly. Leaned over. Brushed a fair fringe from his eyes and forehead. And opened his mouth.

“By my honour,” he gasped. “Reinmar? Can it be you? Ha! I thought you looked familiar… Oh, but you’ve changed, you have… Hard to believe—”

“Who’s holding me? Where are you taking me?”

“We’ve been ordered not to talk,” said Paszko Rymbaba, standing up straight, his voice hardening, “so don’t ask. It is as it is.”

“I see how it is,” said Reynevan, taking a bite of bread. “You were once a knight, and now you comport yourself like a servant who’s told what to do and what not to do. I even know what’s behind the change, and it’s a wonder you remain in Silesia. They said you all fled: Weyrach, Wittram, Tresckow, your entire old comitiva. That you fled far, far away, for it was getting a little too hot for you here in Silesia.”

“Aye,” said Paszko, scratching the back of his head, anxiously tossing a glance at the campfire where other mercenaries were devoting all their attention to a demijohn. “Aye, they were. The company went its separate ways. I was also making ready to leave them. But see, a chance to serve Lord Ungerath arose. Lord Ungerath is a wealthy man, he won’t let any of his men come to harm, no fear. So I stayed, for things aren’t so bad for me here in Silesia.”

“What does that wealthy man want with me? How have I upset him?”

“We’re not to talk.”

“Just one thing,” said Reynevan, lowering his voice. “One word. One name. I have to know who turned me over in Wrocław. It’s not about me, in any case. Do you remember that maiden, Paszko? Kidnapped and taken to Bodak as Biberstein’s daughter? The one I fled with back then? I’m fond of her, I love her with all my heart. And my question to you will decide her fate. Her life. Who betrayed me, Paszko?”

“I am not to talk. And even if I could, I know nothing in any case.”