I’ve managed to bring someone less gifted at diplomacy than me.

‘Next man goes to lay a hand on her gets an arrow through the eye,’ Dath said, loud and clear.

This isn’t going as I planned.

Men were gathered in a half-circle about her, Dath and Kulla, a score at most, balanced on the brink of violence.

There was a moment’s hush, and in it another sound grew, a distant thunder. Coralen looked to the north, saw figures appear on the valley’s horizon, more pouring from the woodland. Mounted warriors, beside them the giants striding on long legs. Ahead of them ran a hound and wolven.

Corban.

‘They are here. Go back to your homes,’ Coralen shouted, and the crowd was suddenly moving in all directions. Most of them headed into the village, some broke away east and west. A handful swerved past her, heading south.

My scouts will send them back.

Coralen leaned down and reassured the woman from the river, who was standing frozen, wondering what to do, her daughter gripped in her arms.

‘Trust me,’ Coralen said. ‘Go to your home. No harm will come to you.’

The woman looked at her, obviously torn between fight and flight. The girl just stared, big brown eyes unblinking.

‘I’ll do as you say.’ The woman took long strides and disappeared into the village.

Corban’s warband was soon upon them, a wing of Jehar warriors a hundred strong riding west of the village, thundering across fields of wheat and rye, the rest marching down the centre of the valley and through the settlement. Corban rode into the silent village, Meical on one side of him, Farrell on the other, a huge grin splitting his face.

Corban nodded a greeting at Coralen’s group.

‘How are you, girlie?’ Farrell winked at Coralen.

‘Well enough, and don’t call me girlie. I’ve spoken to you about that before.’

‘Sorry – habit.’ He winced, a hand moving protectively to his groin. Dath chuckled.

‘Everything all right?’ Corban asked, frowning as Coralen fell in beside him.

‘Aye. Just trying to prevent a mass panic.’

Corban looked around; the village appeared almost deserted. Here and there a face could be spied peering from shuttered windows.

‘Looks like you succeeded.’

‘It wasn’t easy,’ Dath said. ‘Don’t think they’re used to seeing even one or two new faces up here. The sight of you lot coming towards them . . .’

‘What’s the road ahead like?’ Meical asked.

‘I’ve sent Craf and the Jehar scouts ahead. Haven’t heard anything, so it must be clear. I’m going to wait until everyone’s through the village, then I’ll join them.’

‘Something bothering you?’ Corban asked.

‘No. Just want to make sure there’s no harm done.’

‘We’ve no quarrel with these people.’

‘I know, but fear can lead to rash acts.’

‘True enough. You’ve done well.’