Edana’s easy, of course. She has to die. And apparently the bitch-wife of Eremon is with her, and her idiot son, who has a claim to the throne of Domhain. Rhin won’t like the thought of him still breathing, so he’ll have to die as well.

No, they were all simple.

All of it is simple, in fact. Kill everyone. Except . . .

Except his son.

What will I do with Vonn?

He loved his son, of that there was no doubt. And if there ever had been any doubt of that he had resolved the situation when against all judgement he’d stood up in a field full of enemies and called out his son’s name.

But now men were talking about him. He knew by the looks as he passed, the whispers. They are saying I am weak. That my love for my son is a vulnerability, that I am a risk, a danger. What if it happens again, they say, and our position is revealed?

I must prove them wrong. Show them my strength. A ruler’s power is his reputation. I cannot afford to be considered weak. Rhin hears all, and if she hears that . . .

He sipped from a small cup of usque, the liquor smooth and sweet, warming his belly, the glow spreading.

There was a knock at his door, it was Glyn his shieldman. ‘Someone comes from the marsh, my lord.’ About bloody time. Braith at last.

It was Rafe.

Evnis stood on the wall above the gates, watching a boat slip through the marsh waters, a man inside leaping ashore and tying the boat off. A bag was slung across his back, which he set on the ground while he saw to the boat. Two hounds ran along the riverbank.

Why is he alone?

Evnis decided that he no longer liked waiting – it feels as if I have been waiting my whole life.

Evnis was almost at the riverbank when Rafe started walking towards him. The lad had been squatting beside his boat, patting his two hounds.

Sentimental boy. Not like his father.

Rafe’s expression sent different signals to Evnis. He was feeling too impatient to work them out himself.

‘Tell me,’ he said simply.

‘Braith’s dead,’ the young huntsman said, ‘and all the others. We were hunted down by that Camlin.’

Evnis felt a muscle twitch in his cheek.

‘So, a complete disaster, then.’

‘Not exactly. I escaped, then followed them back to Dun Crin. I know where it is, can guide you there.’

Evnis grinned. ‘That, my lad, is wonderful news. You said them. You followed them.’

‘I did,’ Rafe said. ‘Camlin had help. Vonn.’

‘Vonn helped hunt Braith down and kill him?’

‘Aye. But he let me go. He could have killed me, always been better with a blade than me. He let me go.’

‘Why?’

‘He asked me to give you a message.’ Rafe looked at Glyn.