Camlin released his arrow, dimly registering a scream from down below as it found his target. Beside him Vonn spun around, scrambling to get his feet under him. Camlin heard a solid crunch, Vonn falling back, eyes rolling back into his head, blood matting his hair.

‘You don’t want to be killing him,’ Camlin said. ‘He’s Evnis’ boy.’ Slowly he laid his bow down in the grass.

‘I told you to lower your bow, not shoot one of my men,’ the voice snarled.

‘Didn’t think cooperating would change your mind about killing me.’

‘You’re right there, Cam,’ the voice behind him said. ‘Now, turn around slow.’

Two men were standing looking at him. One with a spear levelled at Camlin’s face, a young lad, fair-haired. Camlin recognized him, though he couldn’t remember his name.

Beside him stood Braith, naked sword in one hand, a smile on his face.

‘Thought you’d catch me with my own trick?’ Braith said. ‘I’m hurt.’

‘Hello, Braith,’ Camlin said.

CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE

CORALEN

Coralen bent low in the saddle, kicked her horse on and kept her eyes on her target, her spear held tightly and level with the ground. Frozen by winter’s arrival it was as hard as rock, the horse’s hooves pounding a staccato rhythm. At the last moment Coralen nudged a knee, twitched the rein, and her mount veered to the left, at the same time Coralen lunging with her spear, piercing the straw target approximately where a warrior’s heart would be. She grinned fiercely as she reined in and cantered back to collect her spear. As her excitement faded she became aware of a pain in her shoulder and shrugged, trying to adjust the weight of her new chainmail shirt. It was rubbing on the bone between her shoulder and neck. She wasn’t used to wearing one, but Gar had given it to her last night, told her that everyone was getting one.

We’ll all be wearing them when we face Nathair and his warband. You’ll be grateful when it turns a blade and saves your life. She’d frowned and he’d pointed a finger at her. Wear it, practise in the weapons court in it, sleep in it. You’ll need to be used to it when real battle arrives.

She knew he was right, although right now it felt heavy, uncomfortable and restrictive.

And that’s why we’re supposed to train in them now.

She saw Dath hovering, looked at him enquiringly and he hurried over. He was wearing a new chainmail shirt, too.

‘What is it?’ she asked him.

‘You know what I was talking to you about?’

‘Aye.’

‘Do you really think it’d be a good idea?’

‘I do,’ Coralen said, ‘but it’s not me you need to be talking to about it.’