‘Always adapt,’ she said when he’d finished. ‘War is wits, Veradis. Strength, courage, skill, these are all valuable assets in combat, but wits are what win a battle, and a war. Your shield wall has served us well, but our enemy are not mindless animals. They will study, analyse, adapt. You must be one step ahead, always, or you will stagnate and be outwitted.’

‘Aye, my lady,’ Veradis said. This I have learned. ‘And how go things here, my lady?’

She sighed wearily and rubbed at her temple. ‘I am spending my life organizing, administrating and advocating between petty grievances, Veradis, and it is boring. I find myself in a position where I command four realms – all of the west, in fact – and it is tedious. There is a lot to do, and I am stuck here in Domhain, waiting for Conall to return to us.’ She smiled ruefully. ‘It would appear that I prefer to conquer than to rule!’ She shifted in her seat, scowling. ‘Not to mention that this chair is uncomfortable; no wonder Eremon killed himself.’

‘I thought he was assassinated, my lady.’

‘Yes, but we’ll keep that between us. Took his own life is better, less likely to turn him into a martyr. A cowardly act, suicide. Couldn’t face me.’ She winked at him.

I would not like to face you as an enemy, either.

‘And what would my orders be, my lady, now that the resistance against you is crushed?’ I do not want to spend another moon here. The God-War is happening, out there, while I play at peace-keeping on the edge of the world.

‘Getting a scratch in your boots?’ Rhin asked.

Can she hear my thoughts?

‘Aye,’ he nodded.

‘I feel the same,’ Rhin said with a shrug. ‘Once Conall returns I plan on leaving Domhain. Nathair is on my mind.’

‘And mine too, my lady.’

‘Of course he is. And there are other concerns I would attend. I sent a warband north, after this Corban and his companions – the ones I had trouble with in Dun Vaner.’ She pulled a sour face. ‘I have not had any news from them, and I am impatient. So I will travel north. I would like you to accompany me, and we can see if I can reunite you with your King.’

‘That would be good,’ Veradis said. ‘How do you know where the boy has gone?’

‘He told me,’ Rhin said. ‘He came to Dun Vaner chasing after his sister. She was with Nathair, riding to Murias with him. I forget her name.’

‘Cywen,’ Veradis said, her face filling his mind as he spoke her name.

‘That’s the one. Her brother seemed to have a strong sense of family loyalty. Foolish child. It’s an overrated quality in my opinion – I’ve spent most of my life plotting how to kill off my kin, not rescue them.’