‘But even if he is at Burgos instead of further south, he might not recognize someone after three years. And let’s say he does, then he has already risked his life by helping him escape. It’s the brute de Hayle who poses the threat.’

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Santos led the Navarrese fighters along a winding track that followed the contours of the rising hills, and beyond them the mountains. White cowls nestled on the high peaks, christened by the moonlight.

Ariz and Saustin stared beyond the rolling haunches of Santos’s horse. The silver-lit river in the valley below meandered into darkness as it curved around the opposite mountain range. There was no threat of ambush as the grassland wavered in the night breeze.

‘Old man, how far?’ said Saustin.

Santos did not turn in the saddle to answer. ‘As long as it takes.’

The riders had heard the distant clang of the midnight bell from Estella’s church. The moon’s arc across the sky told them they must have been riding for three hours or more.

‘That’s no answer, sewer rat.’

‘It’s the only one you’ll get,’ came the reply.

Saustin sighed with frustration. He turned to his companion. ‘Ariz, we should let the wretch go on without us. We can bed down here and wait for his return then go back to Blackstone.’

Ariz looked up at the shifting clouds. ‘We have to, Saustin. We’ll soon lose the moonlight and then it’ll be only his stench to guide us. Let’s go on a while longer.’

‘I see no sign of damage from the rains on this track. Do you?’

‘It depends where there was flooding. Be patient. We’ll turn back soon enough.’

‘And that’s too long to wait,’ Saustin insisted and spurred his horse forward to draw up alongside the guide. ‘Santos, you’re leading us nowhere. If this is the route you’ve chosen then I see no reason to continue.’

‘We follow the track down and then I can check the bridge.’

‘Bridge?’ His eye followed the line of the river. In the distance was the unmistakable block of darkness across the glittering water. ‘That bridge? I can see it from here. There’s no need to ride any further.’

Santos shrugged. ‘Do what you want; I need to check for myself.’

Saustin snatched at the belligerent man’s reins. ‘The way is clear, I say!’

‘Piss on what you say. Go back if you want. Tell the Englishman you know better than a guide sent to him by the King.’

Saustin tossed the reins back. ‘As far as that break in the hillside. Another mile, no more.’