The light was fading when they returned to the camp.

‘Where is Don Pedro?’ Blackstone asked the Spanish captain.

‘At prayer,’ said Álvaraz with undisguised contempt.

Killbere cursed. ‘This bastard seeks redemption while our friend and the boy lie slain and cold in a grave.’

‘The King was in a quiet mood,’ said Álvaraz. ‘I was pleased to have him gone. I cannot share your pain, Sir Thomas, but I have lost men close to me and I offer my prayers for your friends.’

Blackstone saw the High Steward watching from the King’s quarters. He raised his voice. ‘And did you see or hear anything of who might have committed these murders?’

The High Steward answered by lowering his eyes.

‘Neither sees nor hears,’ said Álvaraz. ‘No royal steward ever would.’

Blackstone dismounted, his men gathering as he tied off the bastard horse. Aicart was with them, limping. The men were arguing how best to find the killers, emotions running high.

‘Quiet, damn you,’ Meulon bellowed. ‘Sir Thomas is the only one to speak.’

Blackstone faced his chastised men. ‘Beyard, Lázaro and Loys have been buried in the monastery in Santiago. They had gone for a blessing and found death instead. I have paid the monks to pray for them, and our grief and tears for them must now be cast aside.’ He reached out to Killbere, who handed him a belted sheathed sword. ‘Aicart, you served Beyard before either of you joined us. It is only right that you bear his sword now and remember the fortitude and courage he showed when it was in his hand.’

Aicart’s eyes stung with tears. Renfred placed a hand on his arm and helped him step forward.

‘I need no sword to remember him, Sir Thomas. It was you who put strength in his arm when he fought. These men know that as well as I do, but I thank you for the honour and I will wear it with pride.’

Blackstone addressed them. ‘No man here is greater or lesser than the man next to him. We have shown that time and again. And now we are a day’s ride from Corunna where we will deliver King Pedro of Castile and León to the ship that lies waiting to take him and his family to our Prince. We are honour bound to do this.’

‘And when we get this King on his ship, what then?’ said Will Longdon.

‘Then we turn our backs on this place and we go home.’ He looked from man to man, saw their uncertainty, anger and despair.

‘And those who killed our friends and Lázaro?’ said Jack Halfpenny.

‘I will find them,’ Blackstone said. ‘I swear it. No matter how long it takes.’