‘No, I think you are an Angostin, born and bred. You stand in a forest, virtually alone, and you think to threaten me. Does it not occur to you that within the next few minutes you might die? Can such a thought seep through the mass of bone between your ears? The Angostins are hated here, whether they be northerners or invaders. And should the Morngingstar desire it, he will kill you without warning.’You mean he is not Angostin?’ said Raul, astonished.
‘I mean exactly that.’Then how has he raised a rebellion? Why would anyone follow him?’I see you have had a sheltered upbringing, Raul Raubert. And life is about to offer you a number of surprises. But let us begin with the simple observation that there were kings and princes long before the Angostins invaded this land.’
His expression hardened. ‘Do not treat me like a dullard, sir. I am well aware of the kingdom’s history. I had thought, however, that the Morningstar was a brother noble who had hidden in the forest following the defeats on the battlefield. Such is the story that is spreading through the land. And he cannot be just another robber – otherwise the angel would not have led me here.’Now it was my turn to be surprised. ‘Angel? I don’t understand.’I came into the forest three days ago. We camped by a small lake to the west. As I sat by the water’s edge a vision came to me of a beautiful angel floating just above the surface of the lake. She asked my name. I told her. She said I should seek the Morningstar and told me to ride east. Last night she appeared again as I lay beneath the stars. Now I am here, and you tell me the Morningstar is no nobleman. I do not believe it!’I lifted my hand, palm upwards. ‘Would this be the angel?’ I asked him, shaping the sunlight into the image of the young Megan.
‘Yes, by God’s grace! Who is she?’A friend,’ I told him. ‘Come inside, my lord, and we shall wait for the Morningstar together.’Piercollo had rebuilt the fire and was setting a pot of broth above it. I introduced him to Raul, but the nobleman merely nodded his head in the giant’s direction and then ignored him.
‘How goes it beyond the forest?’ I asked Raul.
‘Badly,’ he answered, settling himself beside the fire. ‘We won one battle in the north, scattering the enemy. We felt the tide was turning and were jubilant. But then Edmund himself took the field and three of our most senior nobles fled during the night with their men. We were crushed then, scattered. Men say that Edmund hanged every man he could catch. They herded the prisoners to a wood near Cousen and there weren’t enough branches for the ropes. So Edmund had gallows built. Six thousand men were slain there.
‘Now the forest is the last refuge for men whom Edmund terms rebels. You know he captured Detain, the Earl of Postney, and tried him for treason? He was hanged, part-boiled and
dismembered. How can you try a man for treason when you are not his King?’I shrugged. The conquerors make the laws, my lord. Should they judge it treason for a Highlander to breathe mountain air, then it is treason.’ -‘How great is the Morningstar’s army?’It has not yet lost,’ I said carefully, ‘and therefore is in better order than the one you left.’But can it stand against Edmund?’Time will answer that, my lord.’You are being evasive. How many cavalry do you have? How many knights? Men-at-arms?’I am but a humble bard, Raul Raubert. These questions must wait until you meet the Morningstar. You have ridden far. Rest for a while.’ I cast a spell of Drowsiness; it is not one of my better enchantments, being a variation on the spells of Contentment and Warmth, but Raul was already weary and he yawned and stretched out on his side, his head pillowed on a rolled blanket.
‘Wake me . . . when he returns,’ he said.
‘Of course, my lord,’ I told him, my voice low and soothing.
I rose and moved outside where the men-at-arms were sitting together on the grass. One of them stood and approached me. He was a burly fellow with short-cropped, wispy black hair balding at the crown.