As they moved further inland, the overcast above them began to clear, until by the midday break – fourteen leagues from Capustan – the sky above them was an unbroken blue. The meal was brief, conducted with few words among the thirty soldiers. They had crossed no-one’s trail as yet, which, given it was nearing the height of caravan season, was unusual.

As the Grey Swords completed repacking their kits, the Shield Anvil addressed them for the first time since leaving the barracks. ‘Raptor formation at slow canter. Outrider Sidlis twenty lengths to point. Everyone track-hunting.’

One soldier, a young woman acolyte and the only recruit in the company, asked, ‘What kind of tracks are we looking for, sir?’

Ignoring the impropriety, Itkovian replied. ‘Any kind, soldier. Wings mount up.’

He watched as the soldiers swung into their saddles in perfect unison, barring the recruit who struggled a moment before settling and closing up the reins.

Few words were offered at this early stage of training – the recruit either would quickly follow the example set by the experienced soldiers, or would not stay long in the company. She had been taught to ride, well enough not to fall off her horse at a canter, and was wearing her weapons and armour to get used to their weight. Schooling in the art of wielding those weapons would come later. If the wings found themselves in a skirmish, two veterans would guard the recruit at all times.

At the moment, the young woman’s master was her horse. The chestnut gelding knew its place in the crooked wing shape of the raptor formation. If trouble came, it would also know enough to pull its rider away from danger.

It was enough that she had been chosen to accompany the patrol. Train the soldier in the real world was one of the company’s tenets.

Spread out into the formation, with Itkovian as the raptor’s head, the troop rode on at a slow canter. A league, then another as the heat slowly became oppressive.

The sudden slowing of the north wing pulled the others round as if invisible ropes bound every animal together. A trail had been found. Itkovian glanced ahead to see Outrider Sidlis slow her horse, wheel it round, confirming that both she and her mount had sensed the shift in motion behind them. She held position, watching.

The Shield Anvil slowed his horse as he approached his right-flanking riders.

‘Report.’

‘Recruit caught the trail first, sir,’ the wing’s spokesman said. ‘The tip of a spiral. The pattern of discovery that followed suggests a northwest direction. Something upright, on two legs, sir. Large. Three-toed and taloned.’

‘Just the one set?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘How old?’

‘Passed this way this morning, sir.’

A second glance at Sidlis brought her riding back towards the troop.

‘Relieve the outrider, Nakalian. We’ll pick up this trail and pursue.’