‘Where who are?’ Maquin growled; his knife blade hovered at the man’s throat.

‘Lykos’ secret. The giantess and her whelp.’

CHAPTER FIVE

CAMLIN

Camlin lay on a table in a ship’s cabin, various pains clamouring for his attention. The broken arrow shaft still buried in his shoulder won.

‘Bite on this and lie still,’ a voice said beside him. Baird, a warrior of Domhain, thrust a leather belt at him. He was one of Rath’s Degad, the feared giant-killers of Domhain. He had been assigned by Rath to see Edana to safety. In Camlin’s mind there was still a way to go on that score, as they were stuck on a ship with only a handful of faithful men about Queen Edana; the rest of them were loyal to Roisin, the mother of Lorcan, young heir to the throne of Domhain.

Running again.

‘Take it, you’re going to need it,’ Baird said. He grinned at Camlin, the skin puckering around the empty eye-socket in his face.

‘Don’t see there’s much t’be grinning about,’ Camlin said bitterly.

‘It was a good fight. One to make a song about,’ Baird replied, referring to the battle fought on the beach and quayside as they had made their escape. ‘And we’re still breathing. Happy to be alive, me.’

With a grimace, Camlin bit down on the belt.

‘You’ll need to hold him,’ Baird said, and Vonn’s serious face loomed over Camlin, his hands pressing on his chest.

‘Still need t’breathe, lad,’ Camlin muttered.

‘How can I help?’ Edana this time.

Half of Ardan is in this cabin.

‘Don’t think you should be in here, my lady,’ Baird said. ‘There’ll be some blood, probably some cursing too.’

Edana snorted. ‘I’ve seen enough blood already, and spilt some myself. As for the cursing, I’ve travelled with Camlin for near a year now. I don’t think I’ll hear anything I haven’t already.’

‘Well, if you’re set on staying, try holding his feet.’

Baird cut away Camlin’s shirt sleeve, gently probing the arrow shaft. A spike of pain lanced through Camlin, blood oozed lazily from the wound.

‘Sure you know what you’re doing?’ Camlin growled. ‘What with only one eye . . .’

‘Is this the time to be upsetting me?’ Baird said, grinning again. ‘Done this a few times, should be fine. The arrow-head’s too deep. Going to have to push it through.’

‘Best get on with it, then, it’s not going t’fall out by itself.’

‘Agreed,’ Baird said, gripping the broken shaft.

Camlin screamed.

‘How does it feel?’ Vonn asked.

Camlin stood on the deck of the ship, leaning on a rail, watching the dawn sun wash across blue-grey waves. To the east a line of dark green marked the distant southern coast of Domhain.

Slowly he rolled his shoulder and lifted his left arm, which had been healing nicely for the last two days.

‘Feels like I’ve been shot with an arrow,’ he grimaced. ‘It’s mending well,’ he added at Vonn’s concerned expression. Lad’s got no sense of humour.