Bantam Flyn paused for a moment, then spoke without turning. “It is a weapon, Corc. Not an heirloom. Coalspur intended it should bear his name and continue to serve the causes of the Valiant Spur. I go to do just that. I would sooner die than see it dishonored with cowardice. I wonder… would you die to reclaim it?”

Oh, this could get bloody.

Flyn waited, his back still turned. When no answer or challenge came, he stepped out into the dark courtyard and the door closed behind him. The room was quiet and no one moved. Sir Corc stood and stared at the door, his fists clenched and then in a heartbeat he shook off his anger.

“Lochlann, the mule,” he said and the old man nodded and went to his task.

“Let me go after Flyn,” Rosheen offered. “Slap some sense into him.”

Sir Corc shook his head. “There is no time. We should have…fled sooner, and now only good fortune will deliver us.”

This sits sore with him. More than with the squire. “I am sorry.”

“You need not ever offer apologies to me, my lady piskie.”

“Rosheen,” she told him. “I have frolicked too many times to be called a lady.”

“Rosheen,” he conceded, “If you would see to Pocket?”

“Of course,” she said and flew up the stairs, but a cold feeling struck her before she reached the first landing. She found the door to the garret room ajar, the window open and no sign of the gurg.

Pocket could not stop shivering. The night was not particularly cold. He had started shaking while still in the garret. He was not afraid, he was certain of that. Sneaking out had taken courage. After all, there was a battle on in the city and he was headed towards it. It was bold of him to leave, and now that he had done it, he found an old feeling returning, the same sneaking anticipation that had ridden between his shoulder blades for years in the Roost. He had spent most of his life alone, avoiding the attention of others in dark places, but lately his days had been filled with open sky, bustling streets, and the gentle, breathing presence of others sleeping nearby. He had just willingly left that behind so he could follow Bantam Flyn to war.