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Paltendale you must repay him for all he has given you. Walk away and aye, that is exactly what he will have you do. Walk. Without mount, weapons, or mail of your own.”
    I smiled. “Do not fear for me. Berond had a little coin which he gave me against such need. You forget that my pony is mine, not one of Paltendale’s mounts. I came riding him with his gear, I shall go the same way.” Faslane nodded and said no more.
    The next day I went hunting alone to think over my next move. Just a few weeks earlier I had turned fifteen and under Dales Law I was a man. Moreover, though I had no dale to rule, legally I was Lord of Erondale and a free man. Did I wish to depart from my kinsman’s service, I was no child nor oath-bound man to be held.
    The day after that I rode with Faslane to join the Lord of
Paltendale’s small group. I kept silence as we rode to join Lord Imgry. It would be foolish to stand before Lord Hogar now and demand freedom, out here in the hills where there was neither market nor hirer. But my eyes and ears were the busier. By the time we were close to Imgry’s camp, I knew who had a good sword they would sell. I would take Drustan; he was no longer young as horses go, but I could ride him at first until I found a younger horse to buy, then Drustan could carry a pack. None in our group had spare mail, but in Imgry’s camp it was likely there would be smiths to make, or merchants to sell, what I would need.
    I sought out Lord Hogar the night before we should reach Imgry. The main camp was only a few hours ride down the road and I had a plan for that at need. Faslane showed me into the tent and I bowed low to the lord of my House. He was abrupt, perhaps fearing that I would ask coin from him.
    â€œLorcan of Erondale. What seek you from me?”
    â€œMy freedom, Lord. Your son once spoke rightly. Erondale is gone. I have nothing and must make my own way. I would ride as a fighter, earn what I am worth, and if I do well I may come to a place where I am able to regain a portion of what was lost to me.” I saw at once that what I said did not please him.
    â€œFight then for me. You are young and green but I have not sent you away from amongst my men.” I knew he had few men to bring to swell Imgry’s ranks and I thought that he did not wish to lose even one, young and green as I might be.
    â€œThat is so.” I told him, holding in my temper at the contempt on his face. “But I would be free, owing nothing to anyone.”
    Faslane was right. Lord Hogar stood and his face reddened in sudden fury, while his words were scathing, his tone contemptuous. “You ungrateful whelp. If you go from my service as you demand, you go naked and afoot. There is nothing you have that you did not take from my hands.” I was young, as he kept saying, and his tones cut into my
pride like a knife, nor had I yet learned that too much pride can sometimes cost a man too dear.
    â€œWhat expense have I been to you, Lord, that I have not repaid with my hunting and my work?”
    Hogar’s eyes dismissed me like a poor servant. “Well then, boy. Keep your clothes. I’m a fair man, I would not have one who claims my blood go naked from my tent, and I daresay you have not even the few coppers they are worth.” I felt a pang of fury at the insinuation in that, as if I was not truly of his blood and we both knew it, but covered it over for the sake of the family name. He insulted my honor with his hints.
    Hogar turned to his man. “He leaves everything else behind, Faslane. His mount and gear, his mail and weapons. See to it!”
    I found my voice harshly. “Lord. I ride when I leave. The beast is mine and his gear. I came riding him from Erondale. As for the clothes you leave me, I, too, am a fair man. The House of Erondale does not take where it cannot pay.” I had several silver coins and one gold in the secondary coin-pouch at my belt, I would give