‘Would it not be wiser to wait?’ Ulfilas said. ‘Now that we have found Drassil. We could scout it out and wait for the others to arrive?’

‘No,’ a voice said behind them. Sumur, who had entered the tent silently. ‘Meical is there. His puppet is there. I will taste their flesh before the sun sets on the morrow.’

They all looked at him in silence.

Taste their flesh!

‘We have not carved our way through Forn to sit and wait,’ Jael said, trying his best to ignore Sumur and avoid the flat stare of his eyes. ‘Haelan is in there. I will not give him a chance to flee once again. And what of Gundul or Lothar? If we wait and they arrive from the south and west they will likely dispute my claim as first here! No. We shall be standing upon Drassil’s walls by the time they arrive.’ His grin widened. ‘This is a good day. And the morrow will be better. Now, let’s discuss how we are going to win the coming battle.’

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX

VERADIS

Veradis stood on the spiral of the tower steps and stared out of the window.

Below him was the courtyard of Brikan, where great iron pots blazed and crackled with fire, creating pools of light amidst the darkness. He watched as Fidele and the others, the giants stooping like ancients, ludicrous to any eyes that lingered upon them, made their way through the busy chaos. Horses were stamping and whinnying, men calling out, marching or mounting up. Making it worse, the cauldron’s wain filled a large section of the courtyard, Jehar forming an unforgiving perimeter around it.

I have done all I can for them. My task here is too important to accompany them.

With relief he saw the escaping group pass through the arched gates that led to the encampment beyond, where – according to Alben – the men of Ripa were awaiting them.

Good.

He turned and strode up the stairs, grim-faced and determined.

Calidus’ chamber was situated on the first floor of the tower, with two Jehar standing guard. Flies buzzed languidly around one of them. It didn’t seem to bother him. They regarded Veradis with their black eyes as he knocked on the door and entered, not waiting for an invitation.

Calidus was bending over a small chest, silhouetted by a huge fireplace built into the wall. Unaware of Veradis’ presence he was focused on placing something – a doll-like figure with crude arms and legs – into the chest.

Alcyon was standing to the left, before a huge unshuttered window that looked out onto the river as it curled tight to the rear of the tower.

Focus on your task.

‘Ah,’ Calidus said. He closed the lid of the chest with a snap. ‘I was starting to think you had abandoned us.’

‘That is not who I am,’ Veradis said. He glanced at Alcyon, saw the giant regarding him with sombre eyes.