“Why not? As soon as I know where Vortigern is bound for, we’ll take the news to my father ourselves.” I settled the cloak to my shoulders, and grinned at him. “So steal those horses, Cadal, and have them waiting down by the stream. There’s a tree fallen clear across the water; you can’t miss the place; wait there where there’s cover. I’ll come. But first I must go and help Vortigern uncover the dragons.”

I made for the door, but he got there ahead of me, and paused with his hand on the latch. His eyes were scared. “You mean leave you on your own in the middle of that wolf pack?”

“I’m not on my own. Remember that; and if you can’t trust me, trust what is in me. I have learnt to. I’ve learnt that the god comes when he will, and how he will, rending your flesh to get into you, and when he has done, tearing himself free as violently as he came. Afterwards—now—one feels light and hollow and like an angel flying . . . No, they can do nothing to me, Cadal. Don’t be afraid. I have the power.”

“They killed Galapas.”

“Some day they may kill me,” I said. “But not today. Open the door.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER TWELVE

THEY were all gathered at the foot of the crag where the workmen’s track met the marshy level of the corrie. I was still guarded, but this time—at least in appearance—it was a guard of honour. Four uniformed men, with their swords safely sheathed, escorted me to the King.

They had laid duckboards down on the marshy ground to make a platform, and set a chair for the King. Someone had rigged a windbreak of woven saplings and brushwood on three sides, roofed it, and draped the lot with worked rugs and dyed skins. Vortigern sat there, chin on fist, silent. There was no sign of his queen, or indeed of any of the women. The priests stood near him, but they kept back and did not speak. His captains flanked his chair.

The sun was setting behind the improvised pavilion in a splash of scarlet. It must have rained again that day; the grass was sodden, every blade heavy with drops. The familiar slate-grey clouds furled and unfurled slowly across the sunset. As I was led forward, they were lighting the torches. These looked small and dull against the sunset, more smoke than flame, dragged and flattened by the breeze that blew in gusts.