‘Well, it seems I have found my first-sword. Unless you have come to test your blade,’ Jael said, looking at Ulfilas.

‘I am afraid not, my King,’ Ulfilas said, looking down at his bandaged arm. The cut to his bicep had been the worst injury, slicing deeply through muscle.

‘I see you have a tale to tell. Well, let’s hear it.’

Ulfilas stepped forward, Dag following him.

‘I attacked Gramm’s hold, my lord, as planned. Ildaer and some of the Jotun joined us, and it was all going well, more than well: the gates were down and Gramm’s warriors broken, fleeing. We were hunting for the child when two warbands were seen approaching – one on a small fleet of ships.’

Nathair and Calidus sat up straighter at that.

‘The other a warband of riders, approaching from the south. I rode out to face the riders – we outnumbered them heavily.’ He glanced at the black-clad warrior. ‘They were like him. Clad in black war gear, no shields, curved swords worn upon their backs.’

‘Tukul,’ the black-clad warrior breathed, the word sounding like a curse.

‘Tukul?’ Jael said.

‘My sword-brother. A betrayer.’

‘We fought.’ Ulfilas felt a flush of shame. ‘They were better than us. The likes of which I’ve never seen before. I fell and later escaped when I saw the battle was lost.’

As he spoke of it Ulfilas remembered too vividly how he had been struck half a dozen times in as many heartbeats, somehow his reins slashed as well, and falling with a numbing crash to the ground. He’d lain on his back in the blood and dirt as the black-clad warrior had loomed over him, thinking his death was moments away. Then he’d seen the warrior choose to fight a bear and giant instead. He hadn’t stayed around to watch the outcome.

‘Dag found me a few leagues south – he’d been tracking the men who took the children from Dun Kellen.’ He dropped to one knee before Jael. ‘I failed you, my King.’

‘Yes, you did.’ Jael sighed. ‘But your honesty is refreshing, Ulfilas. Never any excuses from you. And did you make a mistake? I think not. Would anyone have had a different result in the same circumstances? Again, I think not. So I shall leave your head on your shoulders. This time.’

‘I thank you for your mercy,’ Ulfilas said, and he meant it.

‘It seems our enemies have joined forces,’ Nathair said. ‘The Black Sun evaded me in Narvon, stole some of my ships, burned the rest. Now I know where he took them.’

The Black Sun?

‘Well, we shall raise a warband and go pay them a visit,’ Jael said. ‘They will have Haelan with them now, no doubt.’