Ahead of them Dun Carreg sat on its high cliff, at its foot the sprawl of a fisher-village, and all about them were rolling meadows, to the north the glitter of a pewter sea, and behind it all the cry of gulls. Uthas sucked in a deep breath, savouring the salt air and chill that filled his lungs.

‘Was this your home, once?’ Rhin asked him.

‘Home, no,’ Uthas said. ‘I dwelt in Dun Taras, governed that part of Benoth for Nemain, but I came here often. I have . . . fond memories of this place.’

‘The truth does not often live up to the memory,’ Rhin said, looking up at Dun Carreg high above. ‘Let us see what welcome Evnis has prepared for us.’ She clicked her horse on and they headed through the fisher-village, the inhabitants hustling off the streets into houses as they saw Uthas and his kin approaching. They carried on up the winding road to the fortress, hooves clattering on the stone bridge as they crossed the chasm that separated the fortress from the mainland, the wind blowing up around them in great gusts.

Warriors lined the courtyard beyond Stonegate, turned out in their finery to greet their queen. With Rhin’s warriors and fifty giants striding into the courtyard it soon became crowded.

‘Where is Evnis?’ Rhin said with a frown to the man who stepped forward to greet her, a captain named Andran.

‘He rode south, my Queen,’ Andran said. ‘He received word of the rebels in Dun Crin.’

‘How far is Dun Crin?’ Rhin asked, looking annoyed.

‘A ten-night down the giantsway,’ Uthas answered. ‘Through the Baglun and out the other side. Dun Crin is sunk in the marshes, though.’

Rhin nodded thoughtfully. ‘Well, we do not need him for what we came for, I suppose. I just would have liked to see him.’ She ordered her honour guard and mounts cared for, her warriors to be escorted to the feast-hall for a meal.

‘Your giants should accompany them,’ Rhin said.

‘They may cause unrest,’ Balur said.

Giants walking abroad in Dun Carreg – this has not happened for a thousand years. And the reaction they are likely to provoke is the reason Rhin came with us.

‘They are my guests here. Any unrest will end with heads on spikes.’ She said that loud enough for the whole courtyard to hear.

That should be enough. Rhin’s presence in the fortress, combined with her commands, should be enough to keep my people safe.

‘Eisa, you lead the kin,’ Uthas said. ‘Eat, drink, rest with our friends. And be courteous.’ He held her gaze and raised an eyebrow. ‘Salach, you will stay with me.’

‘And now I will defer to you, Uthas,’ said Rhin. ‘Let us go in search of your Treasure.’