‘I think you are too used to killing anyone you consider a potential threat.’

Roisin nodded. ‘You’re probably right, but better a potential threat dead than a definite one still alive. That philosophy has worked well for me so far.’

Edana stumbled into the bank of reeds and stopped.

‘This gives me no pleasure,’ Cian said as he raised his sword above Edana’s head. Then Brogan stabbed him through the back, his blade bursting out of Cian’s chest, spattering Edana in a red mist.

Men stepped out from the reeds and trees. Halion, Vonn and Lorcan.

‘You are my shieldman,’ Roisin hissed at Brogan.

‘Aye,’ Brogan said sadly, pulling his blade free as Cian slipped to the ground. ‘But only because of your son. I am his man, Domhain’s man, not yours.’

Roisin screeched her rage, then looked to her son.

‘It was for you,’ she said pleadingly. ‘I was doing it for you.’

Lorcan looked at her coldly. ‘No, Mother, you were doing it because you are jealous. Because you love power. But you go too far.’

‘So,’ Roisin said, looking back to Edana, standing straight, regal again. ‘What will you do with me? Trial? Prison? Exile?’

‘Exile,’ Edana said, her mouth a straight, hard line.

Roisin’s face twitched, a bitter smile at first, then a tremble of the lips.

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ she said.

‘Betrayal,’ Edana said, her lips twisting as if the very word made her sick. ‘I am so tired of people close to me seeking to betray me,’ she continued. ‘I have lost patience with it. Your days here are done.’

‘This is absurd,’ Roisin said, ‘a misunderstanding.’

‘All here heard you,’ Edana said.

‘Please,’ Roisin whispered.

‘Halion will take you from here, leave you where you will never find us again.’

Halion drew a cloth from his belt.

‘You would blindfold me and abandon me?’ Roisin said. Leave me all alone?’

‘Better than you would have done for me,’ Edana replied.

Roisin ran to her son, grabbed his hand. ‘Please,’ she said.

‘I love you, Mam, but I could not let you murder Edana. I love her.’

‘I’m your mother,’ Roisin hissed.

‘Aye, you are, but you should not have made me choose,’ he said.

‘Argh,’ Roisin screamed, scratching at Lorcan’s cheeks.

Lorcan turned his face away.

She staggered to Halion, grabbed his leather vest.

‘Please, help me.’

‘You murdered my mam. Gave her poison intended for me and Conall,’ he said, face cold and hard.

‘Mercy,’ Roisin said. Her eyes swept the glade in desperation, fell upon Cian’s body, his sword in the grass beside him. Before any could stop her she leaped into motion and swept it up. She held it two-handed, pointing the tip at Edana, her feet moving as if it wasn’t the first time she’d held a blade.

Halion moved towards her.

‘Hold,’ Edana shouted and Halion froze.