picked it up. Slowly he lowered it over his head. It fitted perfectly. Reflected in the helm they could see what Bowgentle sawtheir own faces at once admiring and grim.

D’Averc was the first to step forward with his hand outstretched. “Very well, Bowgentle. It will be a pleasure to ride with someone of sophisticated wit for a change!”

Hawkmoon frowned. “It is agreed. If you wish to, Bowgentle, we shall all be happier for your riding with us. But who is the other helm for, I wonder?”

“It is for me.”

The voice was low, firm, sweet. Hawkmoon turned slowly to stare at his wife.

“No, it is not for you, Yisselda…”

“How can you be sure?”

“Well. …”

“Look at itthe helm with the white crest. Is it not smaller than the others. Suitable for a boyor a woman.”

“Aye,” Hawkmoon answered reluctantly.

“And am I not Count Brass’s daughter?”

“You are.”

“And cannot I ride as well as any of you?”

“You can.”

“And did I not fight in the bullring as a girland win honour there? And did I not train with the guardians of the Kamarg in the arts of the axe, the sword and the Same lance? Father?”

“It is true, she was proficient in all these arts,” Count Brass said soberly. “But proficiency is not all that is required of a warrior…”

“Am I not strong?”

“Ayefor a woman …” answered the Lord of Castle Brass. “Soft and as strong as silk, I believe a local poet said,” he glanced sardonically at Bowgentle, who blushed.

“Is it stamina, then, that I lack?” Yisselda asked, her eyes flashing with a mixture of defiance and humour.

“Noyou have more than enough stamina,” Hawkmoon said.

“Courage? Do I lack courage?”

“There is none more courageous than you, my child,” Count Brass agreed.

“Then what quality do I lack that a warrior has?”

Hawkmoon shrugged his shoulders. “None, Yisselda save that you are a woman andand…”

“And women do not fight. They merely remain at the fireside to mourn their lost kin, is that it?”

“Or welcome them back…”

“Or welcome them back. Well, I have no patience with that scheme of things. Why should I remain behind at Castle Brass. Who will protect me?”

“We will leave guards.”

“A few guardsguards you will need in your battle. You know very well that you will want every man with you.”

“Aye, that’s true,” Hawkmoon said. “But there is one other factor, Yisselda. Do you forget that you carry our child?”