‘Who knows?’ Veradis shrugged. ‘All things are possible in battle. But you would be sorely outnumbered, and my eagle-guard are veterans, have been victorious many times.’ He looked at Peritus, who had seen Veradis and his shield wall fight their way out of a river and win the day against overwhelming odds.

‘I do not think we would lose.’

A silence settled over the tent.

‘You have grown since last I saw you,’ Fidele said, though to Veradis’ ears it did not sound like a compliment.

‘I agree,’ Lamar said. It did not sound like an insult the way his father spoke it. There was even a tinge of respect in his eyes. That is something I have never seen before – not directed at me, at least. For a moment it broke Veradis’ train of thought. Then he gathered himself.

‘This meeting is at an end,’ Veradis said. ‘The choices are before you.’

‘I for one have made my choice,’ Marcellin said. ‘It seems that I’ve walked a long way to sit with you all in this tent, but for better or worse I accept Nathair’s proposal. I will not fight, and I will steward Tenebral until Nathair has sorted this mess out.’ He scowled at them all with his bushy brows. ‘As for you,’ he said, pointing at Lykos. ‘I hope Nathair exercises some sense and I never see your face in this realm again.’ Then he stood and left the tent, his shield-man close behind him.

Fidele clapped her hands, slowly, looking at Veradis.

‘You have manoeuvred us most skilfully,’ she said. ‘Divided our ranks and left a route open for us to retreat without losing our honour.’

‘It is not like that,’ Veradis said. As much as he was battle-hardened, had been injured, stabbed, bruised, Fidele’s comment hurt him more than any wound he remembered.

‘No? I am well used to the world of politicking, and I recognize this for what it is.’ She looked around at them all.

‘Divide and conquer.’ Her voice was steady, not quite calm, but Veradis saw the colour draining from her face, eyes drawn back to Lykos again. ‘But some of us are not so easy to manipulate.’

‘I am manipulating no one,’ Veradis said, feeling his own temper stirring. He respected Fidele in many ways, but for her to sit there and accuse him, after all that she had done, and confessed to doing . . . ‘The things I have heard said about you, my lady. I had discounted them as no more than gossip and rumour, but seeing you, listening to how you are twisting the truth, I am more inclined to believe the rumours.’

‘Have a care,’ Maquin said to him.

‘I have few friends still breathing,’ Veradis said slowly, turning his gaze upon Maquin. ‘And I’d not lose you, Maquin. But you’ll not threaten me again.’

Maquin shrugged. ‘It wasn’t a threat.’

Veradis stood. ‘This meeting is over.’