The King tapped the table, a small gesture concluding business. He turned and left the room followed by the High Steward and Velasquita. The Moor followed. The Spaniard watched them leave and then offered his hand. Blackstone gripped the man’s fist: it was as hard and unyielding as his own. ‘I am Álvaraz and would rather sacrifice your men than what few I have. You understand?’

‘Of course. But you must convince him to keep half my force with you.’

‘I will. I need all the men I can get but I also had to convince him you and your men served him better by riding free of the column. I would not ask you to engage an overwhelming enemy but you might draw them away. We’re weak. Our troops are scattered. And I assure you we cannot hold Seville any more than here. Less so. I’ll show you the route and give you men to guide to you when the time comes.’

‘More trustworthy than Navarrese, I hope. I’ve already been betrayed by them.’

‘I’ll give you a handful of Moors. They’re savage bastards. The man who stood behind the King is Sayyid al-Hakam; he’s their commander. The King sent most of them to the border to kill man, woman and child. He wants to inflict terror.’

‘And that will give his half-brother the moral right to claim the throne.’

‘I’m a soldier. I do what I’m told. If I don’t, it will be my head on a pole.’

Blackstone made no argument; his eyes followed the King, the High Steward and Velasquita as they walked along the colonnade, high above the open inner courtyard.

Álvaraz noticed what drew his attention. ‘Do not even think about approaching the woman. She’s dangerous.’

‘His concubine?’

‘No one knows for certain. She has power and authority. Some say she’s a witch. He keeps her close in case his food is ever poisoned. That amulet she wears is supposed to hold the antidote to whatever poison assassins use.’

‘Then I’ll steer clear of her.’

‘A sound policy if you value your life. That way it will not be forfeit to the King’s wrath or her bewitching.’ He bent over the map. ‘Now, let me show you the route we will take.’

Blackstone looked across him to where Velasquita had disappeared from view along one of the many other corridors. Was it his imagination or had she turned at the last moment to glance in his direction?

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

The stables were built along the outer curtain wall with enough stalls to stable more than twice those needed by Blackstone. Killbere had billeted the men in the extra space so that man and horse remained close. The yard outside provided an area large enough for the men to bathe and cook and ready themselves for the coming journey and fight.