Blackstone waited a moment longer, listening to her slow regular breathing. He went to the entrance and pulled aside the cloth covering the entrance. When he stepped outside, he remained there watching Velasquita through a chink between cloth and wall. If her warning was a ploy, she would have feigned sleep and then raised herself to check he had gone. She did not move. He waited a moment longer and then returned to the men.

As the door cover whispered back across the opening, she opened her eyes. Telling Blackstone of the King’s plan in Seville benefited her. It was necessary if the vision she had seen of Blackstone dying in her arms was to be fulfilled.

*

Killbere and the captains squatted around Blackstone, ignoring the cold of the morning. Their horses were saddled, bedrolls tied and fires doused.

Blackstone repeated what the King had told him.

‘He needs to move faster if the skinners are closing in,’ said Killbere.

‘That’s what I told him,’ said Blackstone. ‘But while he rides harder there’s a need to create a diversion to the east.’

‘You mean a sacrifice,’ Killbere said.

‘And I’ll wager we’re it,’ said Will Longdon.

‘Don Pedro is sending Álvaraz and his twenty men.’

‘And you promised Álvaraz to ride with him,’ Killbere said.

Blackstone nodded. ‘It’s more than helping Álvaraz. There are villagers being burnt out of their homes and they’re on the road north thinking they can get refuge and protection with the King.’

‘Then we go to give them safe passage?’ said Meulon. ‘That’s worth more than protecting this King.’

‘We can’t escort them, you fool,’ said Longdon. ‘Didn’t you hear? They’re going north, we’re going south and east. We would need the wisdom of Solomon to divide ourselves to do everything.’

‘I know the direction of the sun and the moon but if we get between them and the skinners then it gives them a chance. That’s what I was saying,’ Meulon answered.

Blackstone raised a hand. ‘You’re not going, Meulon, nor you, Gilbert.’

Killbere grimaced, wary of arguing with Blackstone in front of the men. ‘You wish us to coddle the King? He has his Moors to do that.’

‘Gilbert, I’m taking Renfred and John and Will Longdon. We halve the men. You and Meulon, with Ashford, Halfpenny and Beyard protect the King’s flank. His safety is the task set us by the Prince.’

‘And if we’re attacked?’ said Beyard. ‘What do I do about Lázaro?’