Jael laughed at the sight of it. Dag kicked the dog, sending it rolling away with a whine, then hoisted the lad up and slung him across his saddle.

‘You are now my eyes in the north,’ Jael cried. ‘The boy and his guardian. Bring them to me, or send me word of them, and your kin will be returned to you unharmed.’ With that Jael turned his horse and cantered out of the courtyard.

Ulfilas caught up with Jael on the long road that skirted the paddocks.

‘Think you made an impression.’

‘Aye. Gramm won’t be forgetting his new king.’

‘Didn’t get a new horse, though,’ Ulfilas said as he looked into the paddocks.

‘Next time,’ Jael replied.

‘Do you trust Gramm now?’

‘I don’t trust anyone, Ulfilas, not even you, though you’ve been my shieldman since before I could hold a sword.’

Nor I you.

‘But trust is overrated, as are love, loyalty and devotion. Fear, Ulfilas. That is what is important to me. As long as he fears me, all will be well.’

Ulfilas looked back at Gramm’s hold, ringed by its stout wooden walls. Ulfilas had not seen fear on Gramm’s face when he’d first greeted the new King. No. What had swept Gramm, only for an instant and quickly masked, had been something else entirely.

It was hatred.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

TUKUL

Tukul sat close to Corban, patiently waiting as the warband prepared to leave. Idly he leaned forward and rubbed one of Daria’s ears; she whickered quietly. All were gathered and waiting upon Corban, who was in close conversation with Brina and Ethlinn. They parted, and Corban pulled himself onto Shield’s back, the stallion stamping a hoof and snorting, making Daria whicker in response next to him.

Something has changed within him. Yesterday he was unsure, worry leaking from him. Now he looks . . . resolved.

Corban looked about at the faces watching him.

‘Foes ahead and foes behind,’ Corban yelled. ‘The only choice to make is who do we fight first. We’ll head south, see what Rhin’s warband thinks of us. The only running we’ll do is at them.’

Tukul felt a thrill go through him, part fear, part excitement. He welcomed it. Corban stood tall in his saddle, Storm pacing around Shield. ‘We’ll leave the Kadoshim for another day.’ Laughter rippled through them at that. Corban raised a fist. ‘Truth and courage, and I’ll see you all on the other side.’

Tukul heard his voice joined to many others in a shared battle-cry.

‘Craf, Fech, I need you both now,’ Corban said.

Both birds were perched on Brina’s saddle and regarded Corban suspiciously with their beady eyes.

‘Please.’

‘Fech will fly. You asked nicely.’ The raven dipped his head in what looked like a mock-bow.