‘She’s a warrior, Kring. She’s not like any other woman you’ve ever encountered.’

‘Women can’t be warriors.’

‘Not Elene women, no. But as I said, Mirtai’s an Atan Tamul. They don’t look at the world the same way we do. As I understand it, she’s already killed ten men.’

‘Ten?’ Kring gasped incredulously, swallowing hard. ‘That’s going to be a problem, Sparhawk.’ Kring squared his shoulders. ‘No matter, though. Perhaps after I marry her, I can train her to behave more properly.’

‘I wouldn’t make any wagers on that, my friend. If there’s going to be any training, I think you’re the one who’ll be on the receiving end of it. I’d really advise you to drop the whole idea, Kring. I like you, and I’d hate to see you get yourself killed.’

‘I’m going to have to think about this, Sparhawk,’ Kring said in a disturbed tone of voice. ‘This is a very unnatural situation we have here.’

‘Yes.’

‘Nonetheless, could I ask you to serve as my oma?’

‘I don’t understand the word.’

‘It means friend. The one who goes to the woman – and to her father and brothers. You start by telling her how much I’m attracted to her and then tell her what a good man I am – the usual thing, you understand – what a great leader I am, how many horses I own, how many ears I’ve taken and what a great warrior I am.’

‘That last should impress her.’

‘It’s just the simple truth, Sparhawk. I am the best, after all. I’ll have all the time while we’re riding to Zemoch to think it over. You might mention it to her before we leave, though – just to give her something to think about. Oh, I almost forgot. You can tell her that I’m a poet too. That always impresses women.’

‘I’ll do my best, Domi,’ Sparhawk promised.

Mirtai’s reaction was none too promising when Sparhawk broached the subject to her later that afternoon. ‘That little bald one with the bandy legs?’ she said incredulously. ‘The one with all the scars on his face?’ Then she collapsed in a chair, laughing uncontrollably.

‘Well,’ Sparhawk murmured philosophically as he left her, ‘I tried.’

It was going to be an unconventional sort of wedding. There were no Elenian noblewomen in Chyrellos to attend Ehlana, for one thing. The only two ladies who were really close to her were Sephrenia and Mirtai. She insisted on their presence, and that raised some eyebrows. Even the worldly Dolmant choked on it. ‘You can’t bring two heathens into the nave of the Basilica during a religious ceremony, Ehlana.’

‘It’s my wedding, Dolmant. I can do anything I want to. I will have Sephrenia and Mirtai as attendants.’

‘I forbid it.’