‘I remember it well,’ Gundul said. His face was flushed, whether with wine or enthusiasm Ulfilas could not tell. ‘And I for one remember with gratitude all that you have done on my behalf. Whatever must be done, if it is within my power to do so, then I am willing.’

Jael and Lothar raised their cups to that, though Belo’s face did not look so pleased.

‘The God-War has begun in earnest. The Black Sun is revealed as a warrior from Ardan in the west. He has gathered a warband about him of evil men and giants – Jael’s battlechief has already crossed paths with him.’ Nathair gestured towards Ulfilas, who stood blinking beneath the gazes of the kings of the Banished Lands. A silence grew.

‘I fought them in the north,’ Ulfilas said. ‘It is true – giants and deadly warriors, the like of which I have never encountered before.’ His gaze flickered to Nathair. ‘I alone escaped with my life, my entire warband slaughtered.’

‘In the north?’ Lothar said. ‘What were their numbers, and where are they now?’

‘Over a thousand strong, and more joining them, so Jael’s scouts tell us. They have travelled into Forn,’ Nathair said, ‘and seek to take refuge in Drassil.’

‘Why in God’s name would they do that?’ Gundul asked. He dwelt furthest from the old forest.

All he knows of Forn is likely the faery tales and stories of its blood-thirsty inhabitants – draigs, wolven, bats and all manner of beasts that’ll consider you a good meal.

Belo leaned forwards, resting his chin on steepled fingers.

‘What do you propose is done about this Black Sun?’ he asked.

‘We go after him.’

‘That would not be the easiest task,’ Belo commented.

Nathair frowned, turning a brooding stare upon Belo. ‘Did you ever think that a God-War would be easy?’

‘I can’t say that I’ve thought about it much at all,’ Belo said. ‘Gundul’s and my time has been spent working hard in our own realm to heal the damage done during the succession.’

Nathair raised an eyebrow at that but made no comment.

‘What would you have us do?’ Lothar asked.

‘Build roads into Forn, wide and straight like the giant roads of old. Each of you from a different location, set on a course to intersect at Forn’s heart. From there, we build a fortress of our own. Drassil must be found, and the Black Sun dug out from the hole that he hides in.’

‘Why not just leave him there?’ Belo asked. ‘If he is hiding, let him hide. Most that go into Forn are never heard of again.’ He shrugged. ‘Let the forest do our work for us.’

Nathair stared at him, took a deep breath, not quite a sigh. ‘This is a council of kings,’ Nathair said. ‘Let your King speak for his realm.’

‘I advise my King,’ Belo said. ‘And to do that, I like to understand the facts.’