Maquin lost a few moments as he dragged his knife from Kolai’s skull and shoved the collapsing body out of his way, moments that Lykos determined to use well. Finally he managed to roll out from the chair that he had become entangled in, rose to a crouch and leaped towards the canvas of the tent wall. Fumbling for his knife, he managed to draw it and slash at the fabric, tearing a rent large enough to fit his upper body through. He hurled himself through, crashing out into cold daylight to land on his head before a line of frowning eagle-guard, beyond whom his Vin Thalun were milling.

He clambered to his feet and ran, Maquin’s snarling face appearing through the tear in the tent. Lykos lunged to the side and heard a knife whistle past his ear to thud into an eagle-guard shield.

‘Stop him!’ Lykos yelled at the top of his voice, the first ranks of Veradis’ eagle-guard parting to let him through. ‘Protect Veradis, defend your lord,’ he bellowed, voice cracking.

The eagle-guard were moving, sweeping around the tent like a closing fist. Some of his Vin Thalun had seen him and were moving his way.

Faster. Move faster.

Lykos looked back to see that Maquin had cut his way out of the tent. He saw Lykos, seemed blind to the fact that Lykos was surrounded by eagle-guard, and a horde of Vin Thalun were growing closer with every heartbeat, because he just snarled and ran at Lykos.

Does the man not know when he is beaten?

Nevertheless that wave of fear that had only just calmed swept up again.

He killed Kolai in less than ten heartbeats.

Lykos looked about frantically, heard someone in the eagle-guard shout and saw shields thudding together.

Maquin threw himself against them, managed to pull one man out of position; Lykos saw the glint of iron as swords were drawn.

‘Do not kill him,’ Lykos yelled.

Someone clubbed Maquin with the hilt of a sword. Maquin staggered, grabbed a shield, was clubbed by more men.

Lykos sucked in a few breaths, felt relief, then anger sweep his fear away. Then a deep joy.

The Old Wolf is mine again. Then he smiled.

He heard a scream, looked to see Fidele half in and half out of the tear in the tent. She was looking at Maquin, trying to climb out, but hands were pulling her back.

Peritus?

Amazing the difference half a day can make. Life is looking far more promising than when I woke this morning. I will come and find you soon, he promised Fidele.

The first of his Vin Thalun were about him now, looking at him with confused, questioning glances. He strode towards Maquin, beckoning for his warriors to follow.

The Old Wolf was on his knees in the grass, a ring of eagle-guard about him.