Saleh’s brow was furrowed deep, and a hush fell in the hall. ‘How can this be so? Have the bullies cavalry, have they steel armour and sword-craft? Will they learn the crossbow? The free companies are free because we choose to be so, because we work beyond simple ties of oaths and servitude. We are honed like—’

Tarfel fixed her with a baleful glare, and to Chel’s astonishment she fell silent. ‘Times have changed, company captains. You must open your eyes to what is coming. My brother has already begun his work, and he will not stop. Why would he stop? Because you wish him to?’ He swept around, his cloak swinging dramatically as he turned. ‘Many of you will already have received overtures, couched in familiar language, promising a new way of working. Do not be deceived. You will be absorbed, and your lives as you know them will be no more.’

This prompted some armoured shuffling from those around Chel. Muttered conversations sprang up; someone nearby him murmured, ‘I did hear the northern lot were offered terms … the first ones, anyway …’

‘—had an offer, via an intermediary, but you know, it all looked—’

‘—thought it was just us, made it sound—’

Saleh had risen to her feet. By now she looked deeply disturbed, lines etched hard around her face. ‘If you speak truly, Tarfel Merimonsun, you speak of abomination. We have long-term contracts—’

‘He will void them.’ Tarfel spoke quietly now, and the hall hushed once more to listen. ‘He will call you marauders and parasites, outlaws and rebels, and one by one you will be eliminated. No one will come out to fight for you, not jealous lords, nor loyal subjects. Who, after all, will mourn your passing?’

Nadej was still slouched in her chair. ‘Why tell us all this, ghost prince? Assuming there’s truth to your ravings, which I doubt. What’s your margin?’

Tarfel tried the baleful gaze on her, but her twitching stare more than matched his. The muscles on her jaw were pronounced. ‘No one will fight for you,’ he repeated, ‘unless you fight for each other. You must agree a common strategy now, and act in concert when he comes.’

‘We must do whatever the fuck we want,’ Nadej snarled back. ‘I did not take control of the Peak to have some floppy-haired sap give me commands.’

‘Then I suggest you coordinate your plans with your fellow captains, because worse commands than mine are coming your way.’

Rennic chuckled at that. ‘Doing well, our princeling, eh? Didn’t think he had it in him.’

Chel offered a nod and a weak smile. His palms were sweating. He still had no idea which way the hall would go.

Saleh looked to be wavering. ‘And what would you have us do? Rise up, march on Roniaman before winter’s end?’