Corban held out his hand and took Haelan’s arm in the warrior grip. The lad looked momentarily taken aback, then pleased. And then Corban was riding back to the head of the column, Dath blowing on his horn again, and the warband stuttered into movement, the newcomers joining them. Buddai left Cywen’s side and loped over to the small terrier, who jumped all over him as if they had been friends forever. Buddai slapped the dog gently with a paw, then rolled in the grass.

Cywen smiled at the sight, seeming so natural and ordinary in these most unnatural of times. She took one last look behind her, the sun sinking into the horizon, the fires on Gramm’s hill guttering low. Then she turned her head to the east and rode on, towards the endless green that was Forn Forest.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

EVNIS

Evnis sat by the tower gates with his head in his hands. He felt a lot of things right now. Foolish, most of all. I cannot believe that I just stood up in the middle of a field and called Vonn’s name.

The emotion of seeing his son after so long had been over-whelming. Clearly. But it was fading now, a distant blend of joy and fear. In its wake was the realization that he had ruined an exceptional plan. It didn’t help that Braith was pointing that out to him, repeatedly.

And Morcant was furious about his silver. It’s not his silver. It was given to him by Rhin, and she will expect to see it used wisely or returned to her. Perhaps that is why he is so angry. Or scared.

The sun was setting, and Evnis’ hundred shieldmen had arrived. Morcant had ridden in with two hundred swords, so the tower and hill was suddenly a very busy place with horses being put out to pasture, tents going up and food being cooked.

Before him the marshlands shimmered, glittering like a many-faceted jewel in the fading rays of the sun. With a deep sigh he stood and walked down the hill to where Braith and Morcant were standing, close to where the enemy had escaped. Glyn followed a few paces behind.

I cannot believe that I stood in the open and allowed an enemy to aim his bow at me.

Evnis had never been an impulsive man – emotional, yes, deeply so, but he never acted on that emotion. Not immediately, anyway, certainly not impulsively. Except today.

And there had been one high spot, one good moment in the midst of all of the irrational behaviour and shame.

Vonn saved me.

Evnis had played that moment over and over in his mind; Camlin with an arrow aimed at his heart, and then Vonn’s hand resting on the archer’s arm, stalling him.