‘What is the alternative?’ Marcellin asked, speaking for the first time and startling a few of them. ‘What is Nathair’s proposal?’

‘That you come with me to Mikil in Isiltir. Nathair will be there – he is holding a council of the alliance. You can put your grievances before him, all of you, and let your King decide.’

‘What do you mean, all of us?’ Ektor asked.

‘Any who wish to go are welcome. A representative of each of the interested parties may be more sensible. Father, it would be in part a journey through winter . . .’

‘You think me too weak and frail?’ Lamar snapped.

‘No. These are Nathair’s words. He suggested that Krelis or Ektor make the journey, as your representative. Or both, if you wish.’ One hot-headed, one cold as a dead fish. ‘Fidele, of course. Lykos, Peritus.’

‘Me?’ Lykos said, sitting up straight and his smile fading.

‘Aye. Nathair wants you with him in Mikil.’

Lykos frowned at that.

‘That does actually sound like wisdom,’ Ektor said. ‘Certainly a means of avoiding such terrible bloodshed. I hate to admit it, and I can’t believe that I’m saying such a thing, but Veradis is making sense.’

Fidele glared at him.

‘I cannot go,’ Lykos said. ‘I am regent here.’

‘No longer,’ Veradis said. ‘At least until this predicament is resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. And Nathair has asked for you, Lykos. You are leaving Tenebral.’

Lykos scowled at that but held his tongue.

‘And what of Tenebral in the meantime?’ Lamar asked, frowning. ‘Who will govern here?’

‘I will,’ Marcellin said, attracting many shocked stares.

‘Marcellin will remain in Tenebral,’ Veradis said. ‘He will act as steward of the realm until this situation is resolved. By our King. Not the needless slaughter of men of Tenebral.’

‘It is not men of Tenebral that I would slaughter,’ Lamar said. ‘but Vin Thalun. They are vastly outnumbered.’

‘I will not throw my men into needless battle,’ Marcellin said.

‘So it would be you that is outnumbered, Father,’ Veradis pointed out.

Lamar’s eyes narrowed, cold as flint.

He is more angry than I realized. But he is also a good commander, a man of strategy, knows when to fight and when to retreat. Now for the final role of the dice . . .

‘If you choose to fight, then I will have no choice but to step in. I will fight beside the Vin Thalun.’

‘Against your own people. Against your own kin?’ Lamar said, bitterness dripping from his voice.

Veradis stared at his father. He’d known this point was coming, could not be avoided. I will not falter now.

‘Yes. I follow the orders of my King. Your King. Lykos is . . . was, his chosen regent.’

‘Not any more,’ Lykos muttered into his wine cup.

‘If you raise a hand against Lykos,’ Veradis continued, ‘you are raising it against Nathair.’

‘You would lose,’ Lamar said, a muscle twitching in his cheek. Never a good sign.