Be a while before I can draw my bow, though, damn Braith to the Otherworld.

Images of the battle filled his mind: Braith, his old chief from the Darkwood toppling off the quay into the ocean. Conall knocking his brother Halion senseless as Camlin escaped to the ship with Roisin’s son, Lorcan. Looking back as they sailed away, Conall cutting Marrock’s throat and tossing him to the waves.

Marrock. First real friend I’ve had in a long while. He felt the man’s loss keenly, along with Halion’s. They had felt like a brotherhood, friends bound by more than a common cause. And the others – Dath and Corban, even old Brina. I wonder, have they found Cywen? Are they still even breathing? The world was in flux, constantly changing around him. It was hard for a man to keep up. ’Specially when all I’ve known for twenty years is the Darkwood. Still, can’t change the truth of things. Have t’bend with it. Better’n breaking.

You should leave, the old persistent voice said in his head. Walk away, make a life for yourself before you get yourself killed for some lordling’s cause that means nothing to you. Besides, look at you – you’re not the sort t’be mixing with queens and noble warriors; you’re a thief, a villain.

Dolphins leaped through waves, keeping pace alongside the ship. Can’t leave now, I’ve come too far, made promises.

You’ve sworn no oaths.

Not out loud, no. But I need t’see this through. Besides, can’t exactly walk away right now. I’m not much for swimming.

‘Where’s Edana?’ he asked Vonn, who had settled beside him, staring silently at the coastline.

‘In her cabin. Baird’s guarding her.’ He was silent a moment. ‘Do you think we can trust him?’

‘Baird? He’s a good man t’have around in a scrap. Trust; now that’s another matter. What d’you think?’

‘I wouldn’t ask me. I’m not such a good judge. I trusted my father, remember.’ He pulled a sour face and looked down at the waves.

Camlin felt a wave of sympathy for the young warrior. Evnis, betrayer of Dun Carreg, slayer of Brenin, King of Ardan. Not the best da in the Banished Lands to have.

‘Think you can be forgiven for that,’ Camlin said. ‘Most of us do. Trust our da, I mean. For a while, at least.’

Vonn didn’t respond.

‘As for Baird, my guess is he’s one of those that gives his word and keeps it as best he can. Him and Rath were close, and he swore to the old man to see Edana safe.’

‘He did,’ Vonn agreed.

‘Well, t’my mind she’s not safe yet. We may be on a ship sailing away from Domhain, Rhin and Conall, but most of those aboard don’t owe Edana naught, and Roisin and her boy Lorcan command a score of warriors. We won’t be safe till we’re off of this tub and away from them, is my thinking. Even if Edana is promised to Lorcan, I don’t trust Roisin to keep her word. ’