Fidele’s fear melted away. Only close kin can be so personal and insulting.

Alben unbolted and opened the door, revealing the bulk of Krelis standing in the doorway, a dozen warriors filling the corridor behind him.

Ektor came forward and glowered at his brother. ‘You took your time.’

CHAPTER THIRTY

CAMLIN

Camlin stood in the shadows, leaning against a wall. They had rowed into the lake to a tower that protruded from the dark waters like a spear, disembarked and entered a huge round chamber, ivy growing up its walls and birds nesting in its eaves. Edana sat in one of many chairs around a long table, Baird stood a step behind. Pendathran was there, and Drust, the warrior who had brought them here, as well as Roisin and Lorcan.

News of Edana’s arrival had spread through the camp like sunlight in a dark room, people thronging to see her. She had happily wandered amongst them for a time, Baird and Vonn keeping a watchful eye over her.

She was not the only one to cause a stir. Roisin seemed to have made a big impression, if the way Pendathran’s eye kept settling upon her was anything to go by.

‘An unusual place for a meeting,’ Edana said, looking around the room.

‘Aye. Dun Crin is an unusual place altogether,’ Pendathran replied. ‘A giant’s fortress that stood in a valley, is my guess. The histories tell of the world changing shape after Elyon’s Scourging.’ He shrugged, a rippling that made his chair creak. ‘We’ll never know how it came to be like this. But it is hidden well, and if discovered is defendable. Towers like this one are linked by old battlements that are easily defended by only a handful. And there is little chance of surprise out here when the only way across is swimming or a boat.’

‘You have chosen admirably,’ Roisin said, ‘A better-defensible place I could not imagine.’

‘Thank you, my lady,’ Pendathran said gruffly.

Is he blushing?

Camlin glanced out of the window he was standing beside. A good spot to defend, Roisin’s right. But not much of a line of retreat. Or escape. Something sinuous rippled in the waters close by and Camlin pulled a face.

Don’t much care for the wildlife, either.

A movement in the shadows near his feet drew his eye and he saw Meg sitting there, knees hunched up to her chest.

She’s as quiet as a wraith.

‘So, I think there’s a need for us to swap tales,’ Pendathran said, smiling at Edana.

Edana nodded and told them of the flight from Dun Carreg to Domhain. Pendathran and the others about him listened with surprise creeping across their features as Edana told of the battles fought as they clawed their way through Cambren and into the mountains of Domhain.

‘Wolven and giants,’ Pendathran muttered, ‘and you fought them all off.’ Camlin saw something kindle in Pendathran’s eyes – respect?