An enemy warband had been spied in the forest some moons ago, identified as Jael and the warriors of Isiltir. Kadoshim had also been seen amongst them. Since then Coralen and her scouts had kept track of it, and many night-time raids had issued from the tunnels in an attempt to whittle down the numbers and spread fear amongst the survivors. Yet still they had forged on, a few thousand swords, coming to Drassil to kill them.

And today they will be here. At the gates of Drassil.

The knocking sounded on the door again and he rose, shivered as his bare feet met the cold stone floor.

It was before dawn, grey light seeping through windows, the orange glow of embers in his fire seemingly the only colour in the room. He pulled his breeches on and padded to the door.

Brina was stood outside with a bowl in her hand, other faces behind her: Cywen, Dath, Farrell, Gar and Coralen. Buddai’s tail thumped on the floor at the sight of him. Without waiting for Corban to say anything Brina pushed past him, the others following. They were all dressed in their war gear, gleaming with iron and leather and wood.

‘Eat this,’ Brina said, pushing him into a chair and passing him the bowl filled to the brim with steaming porridge.

‘Has it got honey in it?’ He frowned. ‘I don’t like porridge without honey.’

‘Told you,’ Cywen said as she picked up one of Corban’s boots and began hunting for the other.

‘Yes, it has,’ said Brina, unusually patient.

He tasted some suspiciously, then smiled and ate.

‘Almost as good as Mam’s,’ he said as he finished, scraping the bowl. ‘Now, what’s this all about?’

‘We just wanted to see you, before . . .’ Cywen said, who had collected a pile of clothes together and laid them upon his bed.

‘Before people start stabbing each other,’ Brina finished for her.

They all came and sat around him.

‘We’ve come a long way, eh?’ he said.

‘Aye, we have,’ Gar nodded gravely.

He looked at all of their faces, so many memories rushing up with each of them, warming his heart. Too many memories to begin to mention. ‘I don’t know what to say,’ he said.

‘Neither do I,’ said Brina, her eyes shining.

‘That’s a first,’ Dath whispered, too loudly, as always.

Brina glared at him.

‘Apart from one thing,’ Corban said. ‘And it is that I love you all. Would give my life gladly for any one of you.’

Gar stood and leaned forward, put his hands on Corban’s cheeks and kissed his forehead. ‘We love you too, Ban,’ he said, the others murmuring agreement. ‘And we are proud of you. And your mam and da would burst with that pride if they could see you now.’