For a while there was no sound and nothing moved, and then there came the pad of footsteps across snow and a wiry figure detached itself from the shadows beneath the trees and came forward slowly. Several of the warriors grunted in surprise as the figure’s face caught the light.

Cageaga hissed through his teeth.

“Well, well,” Lawrence murmured. “And whom do we have here?”

The newcomer, Hawkwood saw, was younger than the rest of Tewanias’s men, probably by four or five years. His hair was long and black and thick and fell over the collar of his hide coat. A carbine, war club and a provisions pouch were slung over his shoulder. A knife hung from a sheath at his waist.

“Who is he? What are they saying?” Lawrence asked Hawkwood as Cageaga, his face taut with anger, began to berate the newcomer in a tone that would have done justice to the Inquisition.

“His name’s Kodjeote. He’s Cageaga’s nephew. He says he’s come to fight.”

“You mean we have another young buck out to prove himself. Seen a fair few of those in our time, haven’t we?”

“He’s reminding Cageaga that he’s eighteen and that Cageaga was younger than that when he got his first tattoo.”

“His first what?” Lawrence said, thinking he’d misheard.

“It’s how warriors keep a tally of the men they’ve killed. Cageaga’s are on his thigh.”

Lawrence’s gaze dropped to Cageaga’s buckskin leggings and then rose again as the young warrior began to remonstrate with his uncle.

“He’s saying if it wasn’t for him, they would never have known of Kahrhakon:ha’s return.”

“Kahrhak— That’s you,” Lawrence said, when he saw the boy’s eyes flicker towards Hawkwood.

“Kodjeote’s also telling them that he’s a man not a boy and that he’s one of the best hunters in his clan. He says now that he’s proved that, he deserves the right to prove himself a warrior.”

“Christ, lad,” Lawrence said softly. “Be careful what you wish for.”

“Cageaga’s pointing out that deer do not shoot back. Kodjeote’s saying his brother is here, so why shouldn’t he be allowed to come with us?”

“His brother?” Lawrence looked towards the other warriors, who were following the exchange with rapt attention. A couple of faces showed curiosity, others impatience, while one or two wore the expression older boys the world over assumed when a younger boy asked to join their game. Turning back to Hawkwood as the heated discussion continued, Lawrence hissed, “Now what?” as Tewanias stepped forward to stand at Cageaga’s shoulder.

Hawkwood listened. “Tewanias is telling Kodjeote that his task was to stay and help protect the village. By disobeying his elders, he’s placed the village at risk. Kodjeote says that if they send him back, he’ll follow us anyway.”