The wall erupted into cheers, chanting their Keeper’s name, singing her praises, jeering the surviving confessors who lurked at the fringes of bow-range at the bridge’s far end. In the lee of the wagon, Matil reeled on her befuddled horse, slowly coming around to the success of her actions. Blinking, she raised one battered gauntlet in salute to those on the walls.

The arm came from nowhere, from the shadow of the dark wagon, viper-quick and grasping. It snatched the Keeper’s leg and yanked, dragging her from her horse and out of sight behind the wagon.

Kosh gasped, her entire body flinching. ‘No!’

The horse danced away, still dazed, uncertain of what it was supposed to be doing. Slowly, it began to walk back toward the gates. The Nort grabbed Tarfel with both hands, almost screaming. ‘Save her!’

He looked back in panicked impotence, then down at the chain still held tight in his sweaty grip. Understanding dawned. ‘Captains—!’

‘Look!’ Kosh squealed beside him, in delight or dismay. ‘Look!’

Matil rolled into the sunlight, face bloodied and coated in dust. She stumbled up to her feet, helmet loose on her head, dented shield still strapped to her arm. Hurkel’s massive armoured shape loomed over her, its metal grinding with his every step.

‘Come on, you meat-stack,’ Rennic rumbled. ‘Come out where I can see you and let’s put this to bed.’ Something pinged in his hand and he ducked back, cursing. ‘Nine goat-fucking hells,’ he cried, ‘not now!’

Chel couldn’t take his eyes off the scene below. ‘What is it? What’s happened?’

‘Fucking string’s snapped! Nort! Do something!’

Kosh blinked and shivered as her eyes refocused, brain adjusting to the task at hand. She looked around the ramparts. ‘Wait there,’ she said, and scuttled away, as if there were nothing else occurring beyond the wall.

One of the captains approached, face etched with worry. He rattled urgent words, which the seneschal translated. ‘Do we sally, your highness? With the walls undefended, the red men on the bridge will advance.’

Tarfel nodded, whey-faced. ‘Hold. For now. But be ready.’ He swallowed. ‘Be ready for my command.’