Blackstone called as the throat-cutter turned away. ‘Meulon, only for those who have a chance. What we have is precious. It’s not to be wasted. Give them wine and theriac for the pain. If the wounds are bad, they won’t last the night.’

‘And our dead?’ said John Jacob.

‘Find soft ground, John. Cover their graves with rocks. We’ll stop and rest the men and horses a few miles further on. A night’s sleep and rest will serve us for the long day ahead.’

The archers went among the dead pulling free arrows as Renfred’s men slit the throats of the enemy’s injured horses. The circling vultures dared to settle closer.

‘Lázaro! Andrés!’ Beyard called the boys from where they attended to the horses. ‘Keep them away until we are done here.’ He pointed at the hillside and the bobbing scavengers. The two boys gathered stones and hurled them, scattering the vultures, who immediately settled a few feet from where they had been. Keeping the birds at bay would distract the boys from the carnage.

William Ashford dragged Ariz, hands bound behind his back, ankles tied with a length of rope long enough for him to shuffle, over to Blackstone and threw the murderer at his feet. ‘Some of the horses caught him when they rode past him. He has some broken ribs.’ Ariz clambered to his knees. A cut on his scalp had dribbled blood into his beard.

Ashford handed Blackstone Ariz’s purse. ‘In his saddlebags. Santos had one as well.’

‘You sided with my enemy,’ said Blackstone. ‘You and him.’ He turned to face Santos, now tied to a tree. ‘I saved your life and you betrayed me.’

Ariz winced from the pain in his ribs. ‘Money, Sir Thomas. Le Bête wanted the boy and Tibalt knew you had him. He was bitter about losing his arm. How else could he earn a living? You would not take him because he could no longer fight. He sold Lázaro for good money. Enough to let us buy a bed in a tavern and drink and whore ourselves to death.’

‘Where is Tibalt now?’

‘I don’t know. I swear.’

‘Who killed Saustin? It was no accident.’

‘I wish you had not sent him with us that night. I knew he wouldn’t betray you. He was my comrade but I wanted money more than friendship. I killed him.’

‘Where is de Hayle going now? Where has he run to?’

Ariz shook his head. ‘I had no dealings with him. Only with Tibalt.’ He looked up at the scar-faced man towering over him. ‘A quick death, Sir Thomas. I beg you.’