Calidus paused and stared at him, then he laughed. ‘Oh, Nathair, your sincerity, it really is quite inspiring; I can understand why Asroth singled you out. But trust must run both ways and you must forgive me if I have a suspicious mind. How do I know that you have not given your word to prolong your life, to buy yourself time until you are reunited with Veradis and a thousand eagle-guard at your back? I wonder, will you feel as committed to this cause then?’

‘Of course.’

‘You will understand if I take steps to guarantee your integrity?’

‘What steps?’

‘You will see, in just a few moments.’ Calidus strode to a pot suspended over a fire, emptied its contents and drew something from his cloak: a vial, dark liquid within it.

‘What is that?’ Nathair asked.

‘The blood of an enemy. A powerful enemy; it is the blood of Nemain, once-Queen of the Benothi. Give me your hand.’

‘Why?’

‘It is time you met your new master.’ Calidus stepped closer, gripped Nathair’s hand and lifted it, then turned it, looking at the palm. ‘You have made an oath before.’ His finger traced a white scar.

‘Aye. With Veradis.’

‘You are about to make another.’ He turned and poured the blood from the vial into the pot.

Pale morning sunshine and a chill wind filtered through the gates of Murias as Uthas stood and waited.

‘Make ready,’ Calidus cried, his voice filling the chamber, and for a few moments all was chaos.

This is it. The moment that the Benothi march to war alongside the Kadoshim. He took a deep breath, an effort to calm the mix of fear and excitement that coursed through him.

A hand touched Uthas’ arm and he turned to see Eisa standing before the surviving fifty Benothi warriors.

‘You are our leader, now. Lord of the Benothi,’ she said, offering him an object.

Uthas looked closer, saw she held a necklace fashioned from wyrm fangs. They were threaded on an iron chain, bound with silver.

I am not worthy. A betrayer. A murderer.

He bowed his head, allowing her to slip the necklace onto him. It was a pleasant weight upon his neck and shoulders.

‘I thank you,’ he said as he raised his head. ‘I will lead you to glory and a new age for the Benothi. We will hide in the shadows no more.’

Voices bellowed their approval and then they were moving out.

And not just the Benothi. I will reforge what was Sundered. The clans will join behind me. They must.