Of Acwellen’s men, only Seon and Banan still lived. Neither had drawn their weapons or even moved during the slaughter. Banan remained calm, his hand gripping Seon’s wrist down at his side, willing the younger, shaking man to neither fight nor flee. Sweat and Panic circled the pair, sniffing. Seon let a whimper escape his lips and the dogs bared their teeth, hackles rising. The onlookers were still, breathless, waiting for the final kill. Madigan came up, pulling his spear from the ruin of Fat Donall’s throat as he approached. Seon’s eyes were clenched tight, but Banan met the hunter’s gaze.

“Kederic Winetongue is guiltless,” the grim faced warrior said. “We betrayed him to the goblins. They have him in that castle. Judge me as you will.”

Madigan leaned forward, and Deglan fancied he sniffed the other man. Then he turned and walked away, his dogs at his heels. Banan released his hold on Seon and the young man’s legs buckled, spilling him to the ground.

“Place those two in irons!”

Deglan recognized the speaker as Orvin, one of Kederic’s other huscarls.

“Best pardon them,” Sir Corc told the man. “You will need every sword for what you intend.”

“And how do you know my intentions, coburn?” Orvin asked with a hard smile.

“I know the look of a man about to do the right thing.”

Orvin’s smile broadened, and he nodded slowly, watching the knight.

“Mount up!” he yelled over his shoulder, and the warriors scrambled to action.

As the men marshaled, Deglan led Blink by the hand, walking over to where Madigan squatted, his dogs licking the blood from his hands. Deglan cleared his throat, but the man did not look up.

“Madigan,” Deglan began feebly, silently asking the Earth to give him strength for what he was about to do. “I would ask a boon of you.” The dogs looked up at him, but the man’s eyes were on his knife, cleaning it on the grass. Deglan swallowed hard, willing his voice to remain steady and failing. “Take Blink away from here.”

Madigan’s head snapped up, his predatory eyes searching Deglan’s face. There was a twist to the man’s mouth Deglan had never seen before.

“I…do not know what will happen here,” he told him. “And I would see her safe. I cannot protect her, not like you can…and…” His words broke off, his resolve failing. He faltered, looking down at the ground, vision drowning with pain. He could not do this. He could not give her up.

A hand touched him gently. Deglan looked up and found Madigan’s strong fingers pressing into his shoulder. The raptor’s eyes were no longer there, the animal was gone. Madigan Sure Finder nodded, and in that slight motion Deglan saw a promise. He turned, going to his knees, and took Blink’s hands in his own.