Galen nodded. ‘I’m sure. But the Order of keepers is outlawed. They’re all either dead or in hiding from the Watch. If they’re caught they face torture. This man might suspect a trap.’

‘He’d be safe enough.’ The rider scratched his beard and tried a step forward. ‘We need him. We wouldn’t betray him. We’re loyal to the old Order. That’s all I can say, master. He’d just have to trust us.’

Take one more step, Raffi thought. In his pocket his fingers trembled on the blue crystal box. He’d never used it on a man. Not yet.

The rider was still, as if he felt the tension.

Suddenly Galen moved, limping forward out of the tomb’s shadow into the red and gold of the firelight. He stood tall, his face dark. ‘Tell them we’ll come. Bury the device in the earth till we get there. Set a guard and let no one come near it. It may be dangerous.’

The rider smiled. ‘Thank you. I’ll see that it’s done.’ He turned and climbed heavily up on to the horse; the red beast circled, warily. ‘When can we expect you?’

‘When we get there.’ Galen stared at him levelly. ‘I’d ask you to stay the night, but outlaws have little to share.’

‘Nor would I, keeper. Not under those stones.’ He turned away, then paused, glancing back. ‘The people will be glad to hear this. Depend upon it, you’ll be safe with us. Ask for Alberic’

Then the horse stalked, cautiously, into the wood.

They both stood silent a long time, listening to the faint crackle and rustle, the distant churring of disturbed birds. The sense-lines snagged, one by one, in Raffi’s head.

Finally, Galen moved. He sat down, hissing through his teeth with the stiffness of his leg. ‘Well. What do you think of that?’

Raffi took his hand off the blue box and collapsed beside him. Suddenly he felt unbearably tired. ‘That he’s got guts, coming out here.’

‘And his story?’

‘I don’t know.’ He shrugged. ‘It sounds true. But…’

‘But. Exactly.’ The keeper sat back, his face in shadow.

‘It could be a trap,’ Raffi ventured.

‘So it could.’

‘But you’re going, anyway.’

Galen laughed, sourly. A sudden spark lit his face, twisted with pain. ‘I used to know when people lied to me, Raffi. If only they knew!’ He glanced across. ‘We both go. Someone has to deal with this relic’

Uneasy, Raffi shook his head. ‘There may be no relic’

Galen spat into the fire. ‘What do I care,’ he said softly.

Chapter 2

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