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realised it was wiser to put old disputes behind us and help each other. It’s worked well until now. We’ve fought with Catiscal warriors to repel invaders. But when we sent word this time, they didn’t come. Maybe our messenger didn’t get there in time, Val. Maybe they would’ve come if they could.’
    ‘And maybe that bastard Antos saw this as his opportunity to get what he’s always wanted,’ Val muttered, his worried gaze resting on Lissa.
    Devadas stirred at Val’s words and reached for the bridle of the messenger’s horse.
    ‘Let five members of the Catiscal retinue in. Tell them we mean them no harm and will listen to what they have to say.’ Tig raced off, his horse’s hooves clattering against the cobblestones.
    Devadas turned to Lissa. ‘So what does my brother Antos want?’
    He watched with satisfaction as she staggered and turned pale.
    ‘Your brother? Antos is your brother? You never told me you were the King of Catiscal’s son.’
    Devadas saw her face filled with horror as she realised the full implications of his revelation.
    ‘You would have been ransomed. If you’d told my father who you were, he would have arranged for your ransom. Why didn’t you?’ Her voice was full of tears.
    ‘A warrior of Catiscal does not put himself out of harm’s way while his troops die or are enslaved. As soon as I was captured I was as good as dead to my family. I knew that. I couldn’t go back. But that was a long time ago. I’ve learned a new code now. Ah, here they are. Let’s see what they have to say.’
    Five warriors, all familiar to Devadas, made their way through the main street of Horvald toward the square. A hot lump of pain settled in Devadas’s chest as he recognised their leader, sitting tall and proud on a massive black stallion.
    Antos. Antos, my brother .
    Now the King of Catiscal.
    Lissa stiffened beside him and pulled on her chain. Devadas turned to her and watched the blood drain from her face.
    ‘What? What is it?’ he asked.
    She shook her head. ‘It doesn’t matter. Nothing matters.’ The hopeless fear in her eyes chilled him. He turned back to watch his brother and his retinue dismount. His own troops came to attention ready for any threat. Devadas waved them back, indicating no threat was here.
    Antos approached him then stopped, smiling and laughing.
    ‘Devadas! What good fortune is this? It’s been a long time.’
    Devadas nodded. ‘Antos. The years have been good to you. You are now King of Catiscal?’
    Antos did look well – prosperous and arrogant as ever. The first son who never let his brother forget he was destined for greatness, while Devadas could only hope to be, at best, a general in his army.
    Antos nodded. ‘Our father died only months ago. We thought you were dead, too.’
    Devadas laughed bitterly. ‘I was for a while.’ Sadness swept through him. He’d loved his father, a man of strong but fair morals. ‘What of our mother? And Dana?’
    ‘They are both well,’ Antos said. ‘Dana will marry soon. They will be pleased to see you.’
    Antos clearly wasn’t as pleased. But that was nothing new. Devadas saw with stark clarity that they’d hated each other and always would. Ten years hadn’t changed that. He studied his brother. ‘What brings you here now? I gather the good people of Horvald expected you earlier.’
    Antos roared with laughter. Laughter tinged with cruelty. He hadn’t changed at all. He was still taking pleasure from the misery of others.
    ‘When I heard the Warlord Death was moving against Horvald I sent out some spies to find out what I could about you. One of them recognised you. I realised you were no threat and the time was come for Catiscal to be the power in this land. You have delivered Horvald to me, just at the right time.’ He dismounted and turned to Lissa. Shock transformed his smug smile as he saw the gold chain at her neck and the lead in Devadas’s hand.
    ‘Devadas? Devadas? What is this? What have you