‘If I may be of service, my lord.’
‘I am certain that you can. When I came here it was as part of a bigger journey: I planned to travel north. I still do. The issue is when to leave. Much has happened here that I think has bearing on my alliance, on the future, but the situation here is fluid, prone to change. Dramatically. Would you agree?’
‘Your summary is quite correct, to my mind,’ Evnis said.
‘I am torn, Evnis. My errand in the north is pressing, but I feel that perhaps I should linger here a while longer, as these events play out. To ensure that the results are favourable to me and my alliance.’
‘Most prudent, my lord.’ This is a man who thinks before he speaks. Where is he leading this conversation?
‘You are probably wondering why I am telling you this.’
Evnis smiled and dipped his head in acknowledgement.
‘I believe that you are pivotal to this situation. And certain that you know more than you have told me.’
‘Do any of us tell all that we know, my lord?’ Evnis replied. ‘After all, knowledge is power.’ This is dangerous.
‘Wise words,’ Nathair said with a smile, ‘and words that I have heard before. But let me be frank with you. We are both in a position to help each other. I am in a strange land, surrounded by war, a history guiding it that is unfamiliar to me. I need to make decisions, but I lack the knowledge to be confident that I am choosing the right course. You are familiar with the politics of this realm, this conflict, well placed to see much. I need that knowledge. But you are surrounded by enemies – Owain, the man that took your own brother’s head, rules here, so you need a friend, someone in power who has some influence. You need me.’ Nathair took a deep breath, fixing Evnis with intense blue eyes. ‘Tell me, Evnis, what is your heart’s desire?’
Evnis blinked, thrown by the question, the sudden change of direction. ‘I . . .’ What is happening here? Be careful. Nathair’s eyes pinned him, became the whole world. Is he bewitching me? Using the earth power?
‘To find my son,’ he heard himself say, surprised to hear the tremor in his voice.
‘Yes. Escaped with Edana, or so rumours are saying.’ Nathair waved a hand. ‘I am not completely without information, even here. I could help you find him. I look after those that serve me.’
‘Serve you?’
‘Yes. I am looking for men: powerful men, brave enough to take risks, brave enough to follow me into a new order, a new world. I think that you are such a man. Follow me and you will gain more than you can imagine. But in return I must have your loyalty. Unquestioning, unfailing.’
I serve you already, Evnis thought. He opened his mouth to speak but then froze, pinned by Nathair’s unblinking stare. There was something in Nathair’s words that stirred his blood, that would have made him want to follow this man, to believe in a cause again, even if Asroth had not already commanded it. Your only cause is yourself, a voice whispered in his mind. ‘I will serve you, if I can,’ he said.
‘Good. That is very good.’ Nathair grinned, refilled their cups of wine and together they drank.
‘Now, tell me,’ Nathair said. ‘Does Rhin play a part in this business between Owain and Brenin?’
‘Yes. She manipulated this war,’ Evnis said. How much to tell? That is the question. Rhin will not look kindly on me if she thinks I have betrayed her. He returned Nathair’s unflinching gaze and made a decision. ‘Rhin tricked Owain into marching against Brenin, her design was that they would weaken one another. She will move against Owain soon. She is the real power now in the west – Brenin was her greatest rival, but now that he is gone Owain cannot match her – he does not have the strength of will nor the wit to outmanoeuvre her. Brenin was the only one who stood that chance. And King Eremon of Domhain is too old, uninterested in affairs beyond his borders. Before long she will rule all the realms of the west.’
‘She was always the one to watch,’ Nathair murmured. ‘A sharp tongue, a sharper mind.’
‘Indeed.’
‘And what is your relationship with her, Evnis?’
Lovers, once. Conspirators, always. ‘We have communicated, in the past, helped one another in small matters.’
‘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?’