‘The cauldron, after so much – the dreams, the planning, the hardship,’ Veradis smiled in return. ‘I have known for a while – Rhin has received messages. It is wonderful news.’

‘Aye. It is,’ Nathair said.

And yet, I expected something else. What? He should be overjoyed. This does not seem like the focused, determined man whom I left on the borders of Domhain. ‘You look weary, Nathair, but there is more, I think.’

Uthas shifted behind Nathair.

‘We have endured hard battles, a long road,’ Nathair said. ‘And I find that I have completed a quest only to realize that it is the beginning of another one.’ He looked about the room, eyes lingering on Calidus before they returned to Veradis. ‘I am weary, but you are right, there is more.’ He paused again, just stared at Veradis for long, silent moments. ‘I am disappointed in you, Veradis. You had a chance to end this. The Black Sun with only a few hundred swords about him. And you let him escape. This is the first time that you have failed me. And now it feels like the battle against the Black Sun is only just beginning, a long road with the end far from sight.’

Veradis felt each word like a blow, a knife punching into his belly and twisting with each new syllable.

Veradis dropped his eyes, shame coursing through him. ‘I know. It could have been over.’ He shook his head, eyes filled with shame. ‘I let them get away.’

‘You did.’

‘We expected more from you,’ Calidus said.

‘But it is done now, Veradis, no changing it,’ Nathair said. ‘An opportunity missed, aye. We will fight on.’

‘Replace me,’ Veradis said.

‘No. That is the coward’s way out.’ Nathair’s voice was harsh, harder than Veradis had ever heard, and more painful than lashes across his back. He gripped Veradis by the shoulder. ‘You’ve made a mistake. Do not make another.’

‘Never. Death first,’ Veradis assured him.

Nathair nodded curtly and returned to his seat. Veradis sank into a chair besides Rhin, for the first time seeing Alcyon’s bulk standing in the shadows. He smiled ruefully at the giant.

‘Well met, little man,’ Alcyon said, a smile twitching his moustache.

‘Not so well, I’m afraid,’ Veradis said.

‘You live, that is well enough, by my reckoning,’ Alcyon grunted.

‘Very touching, but enough of that. Time for greetings later,’ Calidus snapped. He turned his hawk-like gaze upon Veradis and Rhin. ‘I need to know – what happened?’ There was something in Calidus’ voice, an edge that whispered of rage well concealed, enough leaking through to fill Veradis with a sense of dread.

This is worse than my childhood weapons training, when Krelis would beat me black and blue, and then Alben would make me tell him what I did wrong.