‘They are ready and waiting for us,’ Alben said. He was still pale, but Veradis’ bandage had stemmed the flow of his blood and he seemed to have a little more strength about him.

‘Can you ride?’ Veradis asked him.

‘I’ll damn well ride away from here,’ he said.

‘But where?’ Fidele asked.

‘We must get to Drassil,’ Alben said, as if it were a simple task. ‘It is where Meical is, and the Bright Star.’

‘You will have to race Nathair and Calidus,’ Veradis said.

‘Then that is what we will do,’ Alben replied.

‘It’s a plan.’ Maquin shrugged. ‘But first we need to get away from this tower. I lived here, once. I know the pathways, I can lead us out. We should travel with those others leaving, at first, leave them once we’re away from this tower.’

He looked about at them, their faces stern and solemn.

‘Agreed?’ he asked.

‘Agreed,’ they replied.

They made ready. Maquin took Peritus’ sword, unstrapping the dead warrior’s belt and scabbard.

‘You have a good man’s blade there,’ Krelis said.

‘I will kill many of his enemies with it.’

Krelis smiled, a grim and fierce thing. ‘May that knowledge go with him across the bridge of swords.’

They were about to leave when Maquin stopped.

‘There are more prisoners in here,’ he said, looking to the end of the corridor.

‘Who?’ asked Veradis.

‘The giantess and her bairn.’

Veradis frowned a moment.

‘Calidus wanted them locked away, and that is a good enough reason for me to set them free. Can you hide them, take them with you?’

‘Hide them?’ Krelis snorted. ‘Not the easiest task.’

‘We can try,’ Alben smiled.

Veradis strode to the end of the corridor and unlocked their cell. Tentatively the two giants stepped out.

‘Raina, Tain,’ Fidele said, ‘we are fugitives in this place, fleeing, in danger of losing our lives, but you are welcome to join us, if you wish.’

Raina looked from Fidele to the end of the corridor, the door open, torchlight inviting.

She is scared, thought Maquin. Has been a captive so long, the alternative is a thing of fear.

‘It is a chance at freedom,’ Alben said. ‘You should seize it.’

‘Better to die free than to live in chains,’ Maquin said.

‘Is it?’ Raina asked, glancing between her son and Maquin.

‘Aye, it is,’ Maquin said with conviction. ‘And no one knows the truth of that better than I do.’ He felt Fidele’s hand brush his back.

‘We will taste freedom,’ Raina said, ‘even if it is only for a short while.’

They all strode down the corridor into a square room before a set of stairs. Two guards were sprawled on the floor. Alben shrugged. Krelis took their cloaks and gave them to the giants.

‘Probably won’t help much,’ he muttered.