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beside him, following the stablemaster’s gaze out over the battlements. Approaching the fortress was a lone horseman,
riding a large dapple-grey horse. Veradis could make little out from this distance, other than that the rider’s mount moved with a rare elegance.
    Valyn passed a hand over his eyes. He stood there in silence a while, watching the rider draw nearer to the fortress.
    ‘Do you know him?’ Veradis asked.
    ‘Aye,’ Valyn muttered. ‘His name is Meical. He is counsellor to our King, and the last time I saw him was the night my wife and son died.’

CHAPTER THREE
     
    CORBAN
     
     
     
     
    ‘Oh no,’ muttered Dath as the two boys scrambled to their feet.
    A group of lads were watching them. Vonn stood at their head. He was son of Evnis, who was counsellor to the King, and so considered himself of some importance in and around Dun Carreg. He was a
few years older than Corban, had recently passed his warrior trial and sat the Long Night, so had passed from boy to man. By all accounts he was an exceptional swordsman.
    Another lad stepped forward, tall and blond haired. ‘Well?’ he repeated. ‘What are you doing?’
    Not Rafe
, thought Corban. Rafe was part of Evnis’ hold, a year or so older than Corban, son of Helfach the huntsman. He was cruel, boastful and someone that Corban made a point of
avoiding.
    ‘Nothing, Rafe,’ said Corban.
    ‘Didn’t look like nothing to me.’ Rafe took another step closer. ‘Looked like you two were having a good time, rolling in the mud together.’ Some of his companions
sniggered. ‘What have you got there?’
    ‘Practice swords,’ answered Dath. ‘We just saw Tull fight, did you see him . . .?’
    Rafe held up his hand. ‘I see him every day in the Rowan Field,’ he said, ‘where
real
warriors use
real
swords, not sticks.’
    ‘We’ll be there soon,’ blurted Corban. ‘My fourteenth nameday is this Eagle Moon, and Dath’s is not long after. Besides, you
do
use practice swords in the
Rowan Field, my da told me . . .’ he trailed off, realizing that all eyes were on him.
    ‘Tull won’t let you two take the warrior trial,’ Rafe said. ‘Not once he knows you were rutting in the mud together like hogs.’
    ‘We weren’t “
rutting
”, we were practising our sword skills,’ said Corban slowly, as if explaining to a child. There was a moment of silence, then the group
of lads erupted in laughter.
    ‘Come on, Rafe,’ said Vonn when they had all recovered, ‘the stone-throwing starts at high-sun and I want to see it.’
    Rafe looked at Corban and Dath. ‘I’m not finished with these two yet.’
    ‘They’re just bairns, I’d rather spend my time in other company,’ Vonn said, pulling Rafe’s arm.
    ‘C’mon, Dath,’ Corban whispered, turning and walking quickly away. ‘Come
on
,’ he repeated with a hiss. Dath stood there a moment, then snatched up his
leather bag and followed.
    They walked in a straight line, their route taking them out of the meadow towards the village, trying to put as much distance between themselves and Rafe as possible.
    ‘Are they following?’ muttered Corban.
    ‘Don’t think so,’ replied Dath, but moments later they heard the thud of running feet. Rafe sped past them and pulled up in front of Corban.
    ‘You didn’t ask permission to leave,’ he said, jabbing a finger in Corban’s chest.
    Corban took a deep breath, his heart beginning to pulse in his ears. He looked up at Rafe, who was a head taller and considerably broader than him. ‘Leave us alone Rafe. Please. It’s
the Spring Fair.’
    ‘Don’t you have anything better to do?’ added Dath.
    ‘
Leave us alone
,’ mimicked Crain, who accompanied Rafe. Vonn and the others were nowhere to be seen. ‘Listen to him. Don’t let him talk to you like that,
Rafe.’
    ‘Shut up, Crain,’ said Rafe. ‘I think these bairns need a lesson in courtesy.’ He grabbed Corban’s arm and half steered, half pulled him towards the first