‘Called for me?’ Nathair raised an eyebrow at that, for the first time looking more than mildly interested.

‘Aye. He called you out, declared you coward, claimed you slew his da.’

‘I did,’ Nathair whispered.

‘He challenged you to the court of swords.’

‘He did? Brave of him.’

‘Aye. I went to fight him in your place, but . . .’ He trailed off, remembering Bos dragging him back, because of the Jehar who had stood beside Corban, the one that had single-handedly slain Rauca and near a dozen other eagle-guard. He closed his eyes, the chaos and panic caused by the night raid coming back to him in vivid detail, could hear the crack of the shield wall closing up tight before him.

‘He got away,’ Veradis shrugged.

‘Aye, well. He seems to have a knack for that.’

Veradis dropped his eyes.

‘It was meant to be, I suspect,’ Nathair said, his voice softening. ‘We shall meet someday, he and I, of that I have no doubt.’

‘Aye. As long as I am with you when that day comes. We should face him together. That is my dream – our warbands gathered behind us, facing the Black Sun and his allies, the war to be decided in one fell battle.’

‘That is how I imagined it, once.’

‘You don’t think it will happen like that?’

‘Perhaps,’ Nathair sighed. ‘The Black Sun,’ he whispered, speaking the words as if for the first time.

‘Aye.’ Veradis frowned. What is wrong with him? It is as if he suffers with some malaise. ‘We will hunt him down,’ Veradis repeated, trying to stir up some spirit in his friend. ‘But first I must deal with this rebellion in Tenebral.’

‘Aye. It is a delicate situation,’ Nathair said. His face became stern, angry, more fire in his eyes than Veradis had witnessed since they’d been reunited. ‘But it is Tenebral. How can I lead an alliance or rule an empire if I cannot keep my own realm in order. You must be my hand of justice, Veradis.’

‘I know,’ Veradis said, fear edging his voice. Not fear of battle, of death, but fear of what he may have to do. My father. My brothers.

‘It is your kin, I know,’ Nathair said, his face softening. ‘I suspect your father’s hatred of the Vin Thalun is at the heart of it.’

‘And my brother’s,’ Veradis muttered. ‘Krelis despises the Vin Thalun.’

‘If that is the root of the problem then I think you can repair the damage that has been done. It will require some diplomacy, which is not your strongest point, but it could be done.’

‘Aye. If that is the problem, then I will solve it.’ But what if it is more? What if it is deeper than that? I remember how my father spoke to Nathair. Dismissing him as an arrogant boy. I chose whom I would follow that day. He took a deep breath, swallowing his worry. All choices have consequences.