They’d rowed and poled and rowed like Asroth was snapping at their heels when they’d fled Evnis and Morcant, roping their boats together and carrying on well after dark. Meg said she knew the general direction of Dun Crin if not the exact waterways, and Camlin trusted her enough, while Drust was too exhausted to care. Five days later they’d rowed into the lake that covered most of Dun Crin, and Camlin noted that Drust had not bothered to insist on blindfolds.

Probably because none of us knew where we were, but there it is. Maybe there is some trust growing after all.

He heard a rustling in the undergrowth.

‘Might as well come on out, Meg.’

There was a silence for a moment, while Meg thought about it, most likely. Then her red hair appeared and she skipped up to him.

Can’t say that I’m too fond of bairns, but this one’s been handy. And she’s not such bad company. Doesn’t talk a lot, at least, which I’ll count as a blessing.

‘What’s going t’happen?’ Meg asked him.

He thought about lying to her, but then he remembered where he’d found her, and what she’d already seen.

‘They’re going to kill us, or we’re going to kill them. Can’t see any other answer to it than that.’ And there’s a lot more of them than us. Maybe I won’t tell her that bit.

‘Morcant’s going to find us.’

‘If we stay here he will.’

She chewed her lip and shuffled her feet.

‘He’d have killed me already, if it wasn’t for your help, girlie. Think I owe you one.’

She grinned at that and he ruffled her hair. Then he saw who he’d been looking for.

‘Be a darling and go and get me something to eat,’ he asked her. As she scampered off he called after her. ‘Nothing too slimy – grilled fish’ll do me fine.’ Then he turned and strode after Vonn.

They’d shared a boat for two days but it had been too cramped to talk. Too many ears for what I’ve got to say.

Vonn was standing in the shadows of a draping willow, looking at the lake.

Looks as if he’s thinking about the same things as I am.

Vonn heard Camlin coming and turned to wait for him.

‘Why’d you do it?’ Camlin asked him. No point beating about the bush.

‘Do what?’ Vonn said after a long, indrawn breath.

‘You know what. Evnis. I had a clear shot. Could’ve ended a world of trouble; could’ve ended him, and bought some well-deserved vengeance for Edana. He killed her da, remember? We all saw it.’