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right then?” she asked.
    “About an hour ago,” Damin informed her. “Where have you been?”
    “Communing with the gods,” she told him with a grin. “Let’s do something about these Kariens, shall we?”
    Damin grabbed her arm as she turned towards the prisoners. “What are you going to do, R’shiel?”
    “You’ll see.”
    Without waiting for his reaction she pulled her arm free and taking Mikel’s hand, walked towards the Kariens. Jaymes followed after them. The lad had filled out since he had been training with the Hythrun. At fifteen he was the size of a full-grown man. Any animosity that had existed between the brothers seemed to have been put to rest. That odd turn of events bothered Damin almost as much as what R’shiel might be planning.
    Almodavar turned and dismounted at R’shiel’s approach. Damin and Adrina threw their reins to Tamylan and hurried after her on foot. The Kariens, sensing something was about to happen, began to grow restless. Those who had tired of standing and were sitting on the cold ground climbed to their feet. The priests pushed to the front of the group, tracing the star of the Overlord on their foreheads as they regarded the demon child with intense suspicion.
    “Where is Lord Drendyn?” R’shiel called to the Kariens as she stopped before them. The knight in question pushed his way through the crowd and stepped in front of her belligerently. He was sandy haired and sweating, despite the cold, and looked hardly older than Jaymes.
    “I demand you release us immediately and hand over the Crown Princess Adrina so that she may be returned to Karien.”
    Damin suspected the young knight’s bravado was inspired by fear. His Raiders, with their loaded bows and fearsome reputation, still ringed theKariens. He had only to raise his arm and there would be a massacre.
    “As you wish,” R’shiel replied. “Lord Wolfblade, be so kind as to ask your men to withdraw. Tell them to muster over that way, upwind from us.”
    At a nod from Damin, Almodavar gave the order. The Raiders lowered their weapons, replaced arrows in their quivers and wheeled their mounts around. Drendyn looked stunned by her sudden capitulation.
    “Is this some sort of trick?”
    “Not at all, my Lord, you are free to go. There is a party of Karien knights headed this way. They should be here in a day or two. The Defenders have confiscated your horses, unfortunately, but they have left you sufficient food and water to last until you’re rescued.”
    “And our princess?”
    “Ah, now that’s a different matter. She’s not actually your princess any longer. Adrina is now a Princess of Hythria.”
    Drendyn’s eyes widened in horror. “Your Highness? Is this true?”
    Damin glanced at Adrina, who looked very uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, Drendyn…” Adrina said with a helpless shrug. To Damin’s surprise, she appeared genuinely upset that she had hurt the young man.
    “And you can give your king a message from me, too,” he added, turning to the distraught young earl. “Any attempt to return the princess to Karien will be taken as an act of war.”
    “But they murdered Prince Cratyn!” Drendyn cried to Adrina then turned on Damin furiously,taking a step towards him, ready to fight for his princess’ honour. “What have you done to her?”
    “That’s far enough, my Lord,” Almodavar cut in, his sword pressing into the young earl’s tabard. Drendyn halted abruptly, looked down at the blade aimed squarely at his heart and wisely took a step backward.
    “Hythria will pay for the life of my prince. And my princess!” he shouted, albeit from a safer distance.
    “Perhaps,” Damin agreed. “But not today, my young friend.”
    “Enough of this,” R’shiel declared impatiently. “Damin, I suggest you move back. I have something I wish to do before we leave.”
    “Something you don’t want us to see?”
    “Not at all. You can watch if you like, but I’d rather you didn’t hear