‘I will.’
‘I shall give you men, gold, resources. And I will leave Morcant with you. He has served me well. Even if he has been bested he still has a reputation. He slew Tull, after all, and brought me Owain.’
‘As you wish,’ Evnis said. I do not like Morcant – we all need a little pride and arrogance to see us through these times, but he is too proud, too arrogant. And he had some help in bringing Owain to heel. It was Braith who found him. ‘And shall you stay a while in Ardan, before you leave for Domhain?’
‘I think I must leave soon. I have received some strange news this morning – troubling. A messenger arrived from Cambren, and also I have heard from Uthas.’
Evnis remembered the Benothi giant, the comrade who had been present in the Darkwood all those years ago when Evnis had made his pact with Asroth. He remembered the giant with some fondness, because he had tried to help Fain, had told Evnis of the book beneath Dun Carreg and had urged him to take Fain to the cauldron. ‘Is he well?’ Evnis asked.
‘No. He tried to contact me last night, but I was busy and the connection faded before it had begun. Then, this morning, I have spoken a little longer with him. He gave me much to think on.’
Evnis was silent, waiting for Rhin to continue. He knew it was better not to rush her.
Then there was a noise at the tent flap, voices. Conall went to see.
‘It is Nathair, my Queen.’
‘Ah, earlier than I expected. Show him in. And, please, next time announce his full title. He is a king, after all.’
Evnis smiled, seeing Conall’s discomfort. Even as first-sword there are things you will not like to do.
The usual group of people attended Nathair: Sumur, Calidus, Veradis and Alcyon, his bulk overshadowing them all. Quickly they were all seated and sipping at their cups, except the giant.
‘My thanks for your help, yesterday,’ Rhin began.
‘You’re welcome. Though I think the result would have been the same, just a little delayed,’ Nathair said. He was reclining in his chair, looking relaxed, happy even.
‘Perhaps.’ Rhin shrugged. ‘But I shall not forget your aid. What would you ask of me? If I can give it, I will.’
‘Straight to the point,’ Nathair said.
‘When you get to my age, you learn not to waste time. It is too precious. So, what would you ask of me?’
‘Join my alliance, as my father wished. Join me and add your strength to the mustering against Asroth and his Black Sun.’
Rhin sat there, staring at Nathair. Slowly she nodded. ‘I shall do that, gladly. From this moment my realm, or realms, are part of your alliance, Nathair. When the time comes I shall bring my armies to you, and we shall fight the Black Sun together.’ She lifted her cup and they all drank.
‘Would you ask anything else?’
‘I will be travelling north. Help or advice with the journey would be gratefully received.’
‘Yes. We spoke of this. To Murias, in Benoth. You seek the cauldron. It will be dangerous – the Benothi giants are no friends to men.’
Most of them.
‘I am aware of that. But it is what I must do.’
‘Then I will help you, grant you safe passage to the northern border, and give you scouts that know the land.’
‘And what of you, my lady? Is there more aid that I could give to you?’
‘I will be travelling to Domhain, to pay Eremon a visit. My goal is to unite the west.’
‘I would help you in that,’ Nathair said. ‘I have troop ships anchored in the bay at Dun Carreg. It would be a simple thing for them to take your warband across the seas to Cambren.’
‘That would be helpful,’ Rhin said. ‘Morcant crossed the channel on a hundred fisher-boats and lost more than a few to the sea along the way, I have heard.’
‘Then it is done,’ Nathair said. ‘And more than that – take Veradis and his warband, a thousand men.’
Evnis saw the young warrior stare with surprise at Nathair. He looks as if he wants to object but dare not, Evnis thought. Good, a soldier who takes orders without question. If only there were more blind followers such as he in our cause.
‘He is my first-sword and my battlechief, and he has proven himself many times. In Tarbesh he defeated a charge of draigs and giants, in Carnutan he defeated Mandros in battle and took his head, and in Forn he turned the battle against the Hunen. You will not regret his being in your ranks.’
Rhin studied Veradis; the young warrior quickly averted his gaze and looked into his cup.
‘Can you win Domhain for me?’ Rhin asked him.
‘I-I would not be so bold as to make that prediction, my lady. But whatever Nathair asks of me I will do or die in the trying,’ Veradis said.
‘Such loyalty and passion the young have,’ Rhin said, smiling drily. ‘You are fortunate, Nathair.’
‘A question,’ Nathair said. ‘It is already high summer. Even with my ships taking you there, it must take several moons of travel to reach Domhain.’