‘And what was that?’He couldn’t position himself for the kill, because he knew that if he moved an inch the wrong way then Wulf would put an arrow through his heart.’ Mace laughed aloud. ‘Life just isn’t fair, is it, Owen?’Could you have beaten him without that advantage?’I think so. But why should I?’It would have been more honourable.’He shrugged. ‘Such honour is for your songs, my friend. When an eagle sees a rabbit on open ground he does not think, ‘Poor creature. I will wait for him to move closer to his burrow.’ Life is a dangerous game, Owen. It is deadly serious. And the difference between life and death is like this!’ Holding up one hand, he snapped his fingers. ‘One thrust! One cut! A fall from a horse. The touch of a plague wind. If I could, I would have cut Kaygan’s throat in his sleep.’Do you even understand the concept of honour?’ I asked him.
‘Obviously not,’ he replied. He gaze flickered past me and I turned to watch Astiana approach. ‘Ah,’ whispered Mace, ‘the grateful thanks of the rescued maiden!’
‘Why don’t you clothe yourself?’ she demanded. ‘Such displays of nakedness are obscene.’Mace climbed to his feet and stood before her with hands on hips. ‘There are women who have paid to see me thus,’ he said softly. ‘But I wouldn’t expect a dried-up, passionless piece of baggage to understand that. And so, sister – and I say this with all the respect you deserve – kiss my buttocks!’I tensed myself for the exchange I felt was sure to follow, but Astiana laughed – a rich, merry sound that made us all smile. All, that is, save Mace. ‘I would sooner kiss your buttocks than your face,’ she told him. Then she glanced down, studying his lower body. ‘And as for paying to see it, I wonder how many asked for their money back when they saw how little they were getting.’Wulf guffawed and Ilka smiled. Mace reddened, then he too grinned. ‘What does one expect after a cold bath?’ he asked me.
Gathering his green woollen leggings, I tossed them to him. ‘Sharper than a serpent’s bite is the tongue of a righteous woman,’ I quoted.
‘Amen to that!’ he agreed, dressing swiftly.
Piercollo walked into the clearing, gazed at the bodies and then approached us.
‘They found their man,’ he said, his voice low. ‘They nail him to a tree. It is not pretty sight.’We’ll find him,’ said Mace. ‘Stay here with the women.’ Calling Wulf to him, they backtracked the giant. I followed them, but I wished I hadn’t.
Gareth had been tortured in ways I will not describe. Let it be sufficient to say that there was no way to recognize the man I had seen in my dream save by the blood-drenched white hair. He had been blinded and cut, burned and gouged.
Wulf knelt by the man, then looked up at Mace. ‘They continued long after he told them everything,’ he said. ‘By God, I’m glad we killed them!’I felt a whisper of wind against my face and stood frozen in shock, for within that gentle breeze I heard words, soft, sibilant, like distant echoes. ‘Gareth?’ I said, amazed. Wulf and Mace both turned to me, but I ignored them. ‘Speak slowly,’ I whispered. ‘I cannot. . .yes, yes, that’s better. Yes, I can see it. Wait!’ I walked to the edge of some bushes to the east and knelt, pushing apart the
thick branches. There, nestling on the dark loam, was a moonstone set in a ring of gold. I lifted it and returned to the body, no longer averting my eyes from the wounds.
‘I have found it, Gareth,’ I said. ‘And your killers are on the road to whatever Hell they have earned.’The voice in the wind whispered again. I turned to Wulf. His dark eyes were staring at me, his ugly mouth open. Lifting the ring, I offered it to the hunchback. ‘For a thousand years,’ I told him, ‘the Ringwearers have pledged to protect the skulls. Will you take on this task now and allow our friend, Gareth, to find his rest?’Wulf backed away. ‘I want nothing to do with it,’ he said. ‘You hear me?’Oh, the devil with it,’ said Mace. Til take it!’ Scooping the ring from my hand, he tried to place it on his signet finger. But the ring was far too small. ‘It’s made for a child,’ he complained.