‘I see.’ Nathair paced to the open window, sharing a look with Sumur. ‘I would like to communicate with her, too. Can you arrange that?’
‘I think so.’
‘Excellent.’
Sumur whispered something, too low for Evnis to hear.
‘There is another matter that I am interested in. The night Dun Carreg fell, there was a boy in the keep. With a wolven. .’
‘Yes. Corban.’
‘You know him, then?’
‘Not really. I have had some dealings with him. An insolent, disobedient child.’
‘His kin?’
‘Thannon, his da, was slain in the great hall. His mother cannot be found, is thought to have escaped along with him and Edana. His sister, though, she is still here.’
‘What of Gar,’ Sumur interrupted, his voice guttural, coarse. ‘What is his relationship to the boy?’
Evnis remembered Sumur and Gar fighting in the keep, swords a blur, with such skill as he had never seen before. Hadn’t Gar used a blade similar to the one Sumur had strapped across his back. This mystery deepens.
‘Gar was Brenin’s stablemaster. He has always been close to the boy and his family. I am not sure why — they were living here long before I came to Dun Carreg. I will see what I can find out about them.’
‘Yes, do. His sister,’ Nathair said, ‘I would speak with her. Soon.’
‘I will arrange it.’
‘Good.’ Nathair poured himself some more wine, tugging at something on a chain about his neck — was it a huge tooth? ‘One last thing, for now. The errand in the north that I mentioned. It is to find something. You recall I have spoken of the Benothi giants.’
‘Yes.’
‘It is my belief that they have something in their possession that I need. A cauldron, I have been told. One of the Seven Treasures.’
Evnis felt the blood drain from his face and coughed to hide his surprise. The cauldron — how he had longed to see it for himself, to take Fain to it, while she still had time, to call on its powers. To save her.
‘I have heard of it,’ he said.
‘Really?’ Nathair stared at him, eyes hard now, all warmth stripped from them. ‘What, exactly, have you heard?’
Roll the dice, Evnis thought. ‘That it is an artefact of great power.’ He paused, swallowed. ‘I know where it is.’
‘Where?’
‘To the north, in Benoth. In the fortress of Murias.’
Nathair slammed a fist into his palm. ‘Calidus was right,’ he said, then focused back on Evnis. ‘How do you know this?’
‘I have had dealings with the Benothi, on occasion.’ Well, one of them.
Nathair’s expression changed, became thoughtful. ‘You are of more value than I guessed.’ He patted Evnis’ shoulder.
There was a knock at the door, the Jehar guard peered in. ‘Owain has sent a messenger. He is in the great hall and would speak with you.’
‘Of course,’ Nathair said. ‘We shall speak more, and soon, Evnis. For now, though, accompany me.’
Nathair and his entourage passed through high-roofed corridors, Evnis and his shieldmen following behind. Their numbers grew as more of the Jehar appeared, silently joining them from side corridors as they moved towards the great hall.
Owain was standing by one of the fire-pits, a dark-haired, sharp-featured man. He looked haggard, drawn. You have grasped beyond your reach, Evnis thought. Owain was in deep conversation with a mud-splattered warrior, a handful of red-cloaked shieldmen hovering about them.
‘Greetings, Nathair,’ the King of Narvon said, his eyes taking in Nathair’s followers. He frowned when he saw Evnis.
‘Well met.’ Nathair smiled broadly. ‘How goes your campaign?’
‘It goes well,’ Owain said. ‘I have just received news of Dun Maen. Its strength was broken here when Dalgar fell and his warband was scattered. Dun Maen’s walls were filled with little more than old men, women and their bairns.’
‘So Ardan is yours,’ Nathair said.
‘It would seem so.’ Owain sighed. ‘There are still skirmishes between here and the western marshes, but of little consequence, I think.’
‘You have succeeded in your task, then.’
‘Aye, but there is little joy in it. Uthan is still dead.’ He grimaced. ‘All that was best in me seemed to live in him, and now he is gone.’
‘But at least your son is avenged.’
‘Not quite. Edana still lives.’ Owain looked up, his mouth a straight line. ‘I will not rest while she draws breath. Brenin’s stain will be wiped from the earth.’
‘Is there any sign of her, any clue as to where she has fled?’
Owain shrugged. ‘No, none. I cannot even discover how she escaped the fortress. She could still be here, in hiding.’
‘I doubt that,’ Evnis said. ‘I have searched Dun Carreg stone by stone for them.’
Owain considered Evnis. ‘There must be other ways out of this fortress, other than Stonegate. How did you sneak these warriors in?’ He gestured to the Jehar spread about Nathair.
Of course, the tunnels. The thought hit Evnis like a blacksmith’s hammer. They must have escaped by the tunnels. Maybe even still be down there. ‘There are many unguarded portions of the wall, especially on the north side,’ he said to Owain, concentrating on keeping his face calm, blank. ‘Brenin was too sure of his defences, but a strong rope and strong arms were all that was needed. Maybe Edana left by the same means.’ Nathair looked at him, but said nothing.
‘Perhaps,’ Owain muttered, ‘though I find the word of someone who would betray his own king hard to accept.’
‘Evnis has given us great aid,’ Nathair said, taking a step closer to Evnis. ‘Without him you would still be camped beyond Stonegate.’
‘Even so. .’ Owain scowled at Evnis.
He looked down at the flagstone floor. Is my Vonn hiding in the tunnels beneath my feet. .
He shook his head, with an effort concentrated on Owain’s words.
‘On your own head be it if you choose to favour him,’ the King of Narvon was saying, ‘but keep a close eye on him. Once a betrayer. .’
Evnis felt a surge of anger, with effort pushed it down and painted a smile on his face. Owain is not long for this earth, he told himself. The trick is to outlive him — that will be revenge enough. Rhin is coming, and then his head shall be parted from his shoulders.
‘And what of your plans, Nathair?’ Owain asked. ‘Will you be staying or going?’
‘I will stay a little while longer. I have summoned men to me here, my counsellors. I must speak with them before I depart.’
‘As you wish.’
‘I have a request, though. An unusual one.’
‘If it is in my power.’
‘I have something on my ship in the bay, something rare, special to me.’
‘What is it? Treasure that needs guarding?’
‘In a way. It is a draig, not yet full grown. It needs to come ashore, to be stabled, fed.’
‘A draig. Why. .?’ Owain trailed off.
‘It is an experiment of mine — ’ Nathair smiled — ‘and I would be grateful of your assistance, your cooperation.’
‘Of course.’ Owain frowned, then tried to smile. ‘You have helped me more than I can repay. Stables shall be prepared, an auroch slaughtered.’
‘My thanks.’
The clatter of hooves on stone drifted in from the courtyard, there was the scuff of booted feet running, and a man burst into the hall. He hurried to Owain and fell to one knee before him.
‘Rise, man,’ Owain said. ‘What news? Is Edana caught?’
‘No, my lord.’ The man gulped a deep lung-full of air. ‘Dire news from Narvon. Rhin has invaded. It is overrun, Uthandun is fallen.’
CHAPTER NINE
CORBAN
Corban shifted uncomfortably; a tree root was digging into his back. He’d slept little, if at all, and now a raindrop dripped onto his nose.