Ignoring the escalating bickering, Chel concentrated on the prince. ‘Highness, are you sure about this? Putting yourself in her care, and for such a distance, to an unknown reception? The risk is …’

Tarfel offered a rueful smile, and for a moment his youth shone through the creases of worry that marked his face. ‘I know, Vedren, I know. But this is … this is the right thing to do. I feel a sense of … purpose, like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I believe I have you to thank for that. However …’ he cleared his throat, rubbed his hands together in the chill. When he spoke again, his voice was quiet and his pale eyes wide and wet. ‘I cannot face the journey alone. The mercenaries will follow coin, and I still have some silver and baubles with which to tempt them, but … but I need you at my side, Vedren.’

‘You want me to come with you,’ Chel murmured, a feeling like a stone dropping through his torso, ‘to meet the reaver queen.’

‘I know it’s not what you signed up for – remember that, eh? – but I cannot face such an undertaking without my first sworn by my side. Of course, if you wish, I could release you from your oath here and now, begin walking back to my brother. If I maintain a brisk pace, I might reach the citadel before he notices I left—’

‘No, no, highness, just … let me, uh … Can we discuss it in the morning? I’m too tired to stand any longer.’

‘Of course, Vedren, of course. Good night.’

Chel did not sleep well.

***

They were still arguing when he awoke, unrested, the sun crawling into the wintry sky. He kept his eyes closed, the ground cold and bruising, and waited for things to settle.

‘We could just lie low, go to ground for a while.’ Loveless sounded tense, tired. ‘We don’t have to up sticks and march down to the frozen wastes on a wild whim.’

‘We hang around here, all that’s guaranteed is we’re caught up in the next purge, or worse.’ Rennic sounded animated, too energetic. Chel wondered how much he’d slept. ‘Remember what the princeling said? His brother has no intention of stopping at the provinces. He walked among us, remember, he’s combing the countryside for us and his sick little brother, and we’re horribly short of friendly faces in these parts.’

‘Aye,’ came Lemon’s voice, ‘and I’m saying that if we’re bounding that far south, we might as well head for Clyden.’

‘Clyden?’ Rennic couldn’t keep the astonishment from his voice.

‘It’s a safe harbour, nobody would know you lot. And I’ve got a bit of influence back there.’

‘But … Clyden?’

‘Aye, now, what’s wrong with Clyden?’ Lemon’s tone was defensive, the warning growl of a hound. Chel cracked open his eyes.