Pendathran rubbed a hand across his eyes and carried on. ‘Warriors who survived the defeat of my son’s warband fled here, many bringing their families with them. Even some of Owain’s have come here.’ He nodded at Drust. It turned out that he had been telling the truth when he claimed that he was a shieldman of Owain.

‘We share the same enemy,’ Drust said with a shrug. ‘Rhin betrayed Owain as much as she did Brenin. And I would say to you, for all the harm that Owain did to you and your realm, he was acting out of a desire for vengeance, for the murder of his son. He was mad with grief when he thought that Brenin had Uthan slain.’

‘That is a lie,’ Edana hissed.

‘I know that now. Rhin played him, played all the kings of the west.’

‘The game is not done, yet,’ Edana said. ‘So, tell me how you came to be here.’

Drust told of the battle between Owain and Rhin, Nathair’s and Evnis’ betrayal on the battlefield. Once again glances flickered towards Vonn. And Drust also spoke of Cywen helping him to escape.

‘She saved my life,’ he said.

‘Ha,’ Camlin laughed at that. All eyes swept to him, half-forgotten in the shadows.

‘That girl and her brother,’ he said to their enquiring glances. ‘Always in the right place for some action.’

‘Sometimes the wrong one,’ Vonn said, not much louder than a whisper.

A silence settled over the room; the sound of lapping waves drifted through the stone windows.

‘Well, hard tales, of that there’s no doubt,’ Pendathran said. ‘But we are gathered together now. Reunited. And your arrival will lift spirits here – Ardan’s princess back amongst her people.’

‘I am Ardan’s Queen now,’ Edana corrected.

‘Aye, that you are, lass,’ Pendathran said. ‘We shall celebrate tonight, and welcome our royal guests from Domhain.’ He dipped his head to Roisin and Lorcan. Then he stood.

‘Where are you going?’ Edana asked him.

‘There is always work to do here, lass.’

‘But there is more we must speak of.’

‘Such as?’ Pendathran frowned.

‘Such as, what is the situation here?’ Edana’s smile had gone. ‘Numbers, strategies, what is your plan? Has it been successful thus far?’

‘Survival is the plan,’ the big man said, pausing half out of his chair. He looked a little surprised at Edana’s questioning. ‘The rest is boring details for you.’

‘Not boring for me, I assure you,’ Edana said. ‘Please, sit and tell me.’

Pendathran stayed hovering above his chair a moment, then sat.

He thinks of her still as the frightened girl he last saw in Dun Carreg.