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discovering that my father had been murdered by a man he once called friend .
    Ariadne watched, petrified, as the warriors arrived, four well-armed warriors with hawkish expressions and a purposeful manner. ‘Well met,’ called the first. ‘We’re in your debt for stopping that woman.’
    ‘I didn’t stop her,’ he replied harshly. ‘We collided and I prevented her from falling.’
    ‘It’s of no matter how you did it.’ Revealing rows of rotten teeth, the warrior’s leer was more snarl than smile. ‘She’d have escaped but for you. We’re grateful. Now step aside.’
    ‘Why? What’s she done?’
    ‘None of your damn business,’ growled the warrior.
    ‘She’s a priestess. Hardly a common criminal. Not the type of person to manhandle either, unless you want to anger a god. Don’t you agree?’ His voice was low but menacing.
    The warrior blinked in surprise. ‘Look, friend, we’re just following orders. The king wants to see her. So do us a favour and piss off, eh?’
    He looked back at Ariadne. ‘Do you want to go with these men?’
    ‘You don’t have to do this,’ she whispered, not quite believing her eyes and ears.
    He didn’t acknowledge what she’d said. ‘Yes or no?’
    Ariadne looked at the quartet of bodyguards and shuddered.
    ‘Well?’
    ‘No,’ she heard herself say. Instantly, guilt tore at her. Why have you involved him too?
    He shrugged carelessly. ‘You heard. She’s not going.’
    ‘What’s your name, fool?’ hissed the lead warrior, raising his spear. ‘I like to know the name of a man before I kill him.’
    He ignored the demand. Drawing his sword, he pointed it straight at the man’s face. ‘Ready to die? Because that’s what is going to happen next.’
    Even in the poor light, it was possible to see the warrior turn pale. He glanced at his companions, who also looked far from happy.
    ‘Shall we get this over with?’ he snarled, taking a step towards them.
    Ariadne couldn’t believe her eyes. The bodyguard’s confidence shrank like a bladder pricked with a knife. ‘We’ve got no quarrel with you,’ he mumbled.
    ‘Nor I with you, but I’m not about to see you seize a priestess without good explanation,’ he snapped, continuing to advance. ‘It was my understanding that we held such people in great veneration. That we didn’t treat them like runaway slaves.’
    Lifting his spear point into the air, the warrior backed away. His companions did the same. ‘This isn’t going to end here,’ muttered the first man.
    ‘I’d be disappointed if it was.’ He watched as they vanished into the gloom.
    ‘I wish you hadn’t done that. You’ve as good as signed your own death warrant,’ Ariadne said coldly, disregarding the amazement she felt at the warriors’ about-turn.
    ‘A simple thank you would suffice,’ he replied in a mild voice.
    ‘I don’t want another’s death on my conscience!’ she said, colouring.
    ‘My fate is mine to decide, not yours,’ he growled. ‘What kind of a man would I be if I just let a group of thugs carry off a priestess?’ It was a rash move, all the time. Thank the Rider that none of them recognised me .
    ‘A wise one,’ she snapped.
    ‘Got quite the temper, haven’t you? Seeing as you don’t want my help, I’ll leave you to it. The gate’s still open.’ He picked up the lead rope and clicked his tongue at his horse. ‘Come on. Let’s get you stabling and some food. And better company, if we can find it.’
    ‘Wait,’ said Ariadne, hating her fear, which had resurged at the prospect of him leaving.
    He raised an eyebrow, which made him even more attractive.
    ‘It was noble of you to intervene. Thank you.’
    ‘You’re welcome. Was there anything else?’ He made to move off again.
    ‘The king’s men won’t leave it at that, you know. They act as they please.’
    ‘I can tell. But they’ll have to find me first. The settlement is a big place to search for one man.’ He nodded in farewell.
    ‘Stay for