‘I always looked up to him,’ Rafe said automatically. ‘He’s a couple of years older than me, seemed like a hero. He was the best out of us all with sword and spear, always knew what to do, no matter the problem.’ He thought a bit harder. ‘He always tried to do the honourable thing.’

‘Hmm, yes,’ Evnis muttered. ‘That was becoming a problem.’

‘What do you mean?’

Evnis shrugged. ‘It’s no secret that we argued. That’s why he’s been wandering about the Banished Lands, instead of riding beside me now. He was – is – young, his head still full of tales of noble warriors and deeds of valour. The world was black and white to him – good and evil. And he was in love, which didn’t help matters.’

‘Mordwyr’s girl,’ Rafe said.

‘Aye. I thought it was their secret.’

Rafe shrugged. ‘I’m born and bred a huntsman’s son. Been used to watching, observing, reading signs.’ Spying.

‘I wish I’d spoken to you sooner,’ Evnis sighed. ‘As you know, I had plans. Brenin stopped me from saving my wife Fain . . .’ He fell silent, mouth twisting. ‘That is avenged now. But Vonn did not understand.’

‘You have to be realistic,’ Rafe said.

‘Exactly. Perhaps some time in the world has helped to teach that lesson to Vonn.’ Evnis sighed and shook his head.

‘If he is with Edana still, we will get him back,’ Rafe said. ‘We will, one way or another.’ They rode on in silence.

Highsun came and went, the sun sinking ever westwards, sending their shadows stretching towards the first trees of the Baglun. A few hundred paces ahead a figure emerged from a copse of rowan, one man upon a horse, a hound at his side. Sniffer bounded up to them, began leaping playfully about the hound.

‘It is Braith,’ Rafe said to Evnis.

‘We are close, then,’ Evnis said.

‘Well met,’ Braith said as they drew near. The huntsman flashed a grin at Rafe, then dipped his head to Evnis.

‘Well met,’ Evnis replied, riding close and offering his arm to Braith in the warrior grip.

‘Halion. Where is he?’

‘Less than half a day ahead.’ Braith pointed into the distance, along the southern fringes of the Baglun. ‘The marshlands of Dun Crin are south and west of here, where Halion is headed, but he is keeping to the edges of the Baglun for now – more cover, is my guess.’

‘After him, then,’ Evnis said.

‘Not so hasty,’ Braith said. ‘You should lead your warband into the forest and follow along under better cover – it’s open woodland, easy enough to ride through, but it’ll hide you from prying eyes.’

‘Can he see us, then?’ Evnis asked, peering into the distance.

‘I saw you,’ Braith shrugged. ‘We don’t want to get too close or we’ll spook him, then we’ll never find Edana.’

Evnis nodded and led his warriors into the fringes of the forest.