As if his thoughts had summoned her, Trigg came and sat next to Haelan with a trencher full of meat and gravy, the bench creaking as she sat upon it.

‘Got something for you,’ Trigg said with her mouth full and pushed something across the table. It was a tooth, a long, curved fang, a hole drilled in the wide end, a leather thong threaded through it.

Haelan just looked at it.

‘Go on, take it. It’s yours. A reminder of your first steps into Forn.’

Haelan lifted it up, fascinated.

‘My thanks,’ he stuttered. ‘How’d you get it?’

‘Ripped it out as everyone else was getting back on their horses and leaving. Before the others came back and skinned them wolven. I’ve got one too,’ she said, pulling her shirt open to reveal another fang hanging about her neck.

Gramm stood at the head of the table. Haelan’s gaze flickered to the giant hammer and bear skin nailed to the wall above him. The skin was huge, twice the size of a horse. Is that what was in Forn today? He shivered at the thought of it. Maybe the wolven pelts will be hanging there soon.

‘You’ll all have heard by now: strange things have been sighted in Forn today. A wolven pack attacked by something, most likely a great bear. And there were other signs . . .’ Gramm paused, looking around the room. ‘It looks like the Jotun have crossed the river. One at least, but where there is one giant, there are usually more. On the morrow I’ll be tracking them.’ His eyebrows knotted in a frown. ‘These are dark times, and I’m hearing many of you say what happened in Forn today is a dark omen. Well, you’re right. Dark times are here, the night is upon us, and we must all be vigilant if we want to see dawn rise again. You all know what I believe is coming, have heard me talk of the God-War. I’m not going to repeat myself. But I’ll tell you this. It’s here. It’s happening. What was found in Forn today, that was no coincidence.’ He looked around, letting the silence stretch. Goose-bumps prickled Haelan’s skin.

Am I part of this God-War? As if I didn’t have enough to worry about already. Are we really the puppets of Elyon and Asroth, playing out their war with our lives? My mam’s life? He felt a frustrated rage bubbling inside him at that thought. I want them to just leave us alone.

Gramm raised his cup. ‘So keep your eyes open and your blades sharp,’ he said, then drained his drink to the last drop.

The hall echoed him, even Haelan and Trigg lifting their cups and muttering the oath.

Just then the doors banged open, rain sleeting in. Three men stood outlined by the firelight. Lightning crackled behind them as they strode into the hall.