LEGEND by David A. Gemmell

Lotis would have banked the fire by now and doused the lamps, Bregan thought. She would be lying in their rush-filled bed, probably asleep. Legan would be asleep beside her, he knew, for Lotis always found it difficult to sleep alone when Bregan was away.

‘You will stop the savages, daddy, won’t you?’

‘Yes,’ Bregan had told him. ‘But they probably won’t come. The politicians will sort it out, just like they have always done before/ ‘

‘Will you be home soon?’

‘I’ll be back for Harvest Supper.’

‘Promise?’

‘I promise.’

*

The banquet over, Druss invited Orrin, Hogun, Elicas and Bowman to the Earl’s study above the great hall. The servant Arshin brought them wine and Druss introduced the outlaw to the fortress leaders. Orrin shook hands coolly, his eyes showing his distaste. For two years he had sent patrols into Skultik with orders to catch and hang the outlaw leader. Hogun was less concerned with Bowman’s pedigree and more interested in the skills the outlaws could bring. Elicas had no preconceived opinion, but instinctively liked the blond archer.

Once seated, Bowman cleared his throat and told them the size of the Nadir horde gathered at Gulgothir.

‘How do you come by this intelligence?’ asked Orrin.

‘Three days ago we . . . met. . . some travellers in Skultik. They were journeying from Dros Purdol to Segril and had come across the northern desert.

‘They were waylaid near Gulgothir and taken into the city, where they stayed for four days. Because they were Vagrian merchants they were treated civ­illy, but questioned by a Nadir officer called Surip. One of them is a former Vagrian officer, and he made the estimate of their strength.’

‘But half a million?’ said Orrin. ‘I thought the figure was exaggerated.’

‘Underplayed, if anything,’ said Bowman. ‘Outly­ing tribes were still coming in when he left. I’d say you will have quite a battle on your hands.’

‘I don’t wish to be pedantic,’ said Hogun, ‘but do you not mean we have a battle on our hands?’

Bowman glanced at Druss. ‘Have you not told them, old horse? No? Ah, what a deliriously embarrassing moment, to be sure.’

Told us what?’ asked Orrin.

‘That they are mercenaries,’ said Druss, uneasily. ‘They stay only until the fall of Wall Three. It has been agreed.’

‘And for this . . . this pitiful aid they expect par­dons!’ shouted Orrin, rising to his feet. ‘I will see them swing first.’

‘After Wall Three we will have less need of arch­ers,’ said Hogun calmly. ‘There is no killing ground.’

‘We need archers, Orrin,’ said Druss. ‘We need them badly. And this man has 600 of the finest. We know walls will fall, and we will need every shaft. The postern gates will be sealed by then. I don’t like this situation either, but needs must . . . Better to have cover for the first three walls than to have none at all. Do you agree?’

‘And if I don’t?’ said the Gan, still angry.

‘Then I shall send them away,’ said Druss. Hogun began an angry outburst, but was silenced by a wave of Druss’s hand. ‘You are the Gan, Orrin. It is your decision.’

Orrin sat down, breathing deeply. He had made many mistakes before Druss arrived – he knew that now. This situation angered him deeply, but he had no choice but to back the axeman and Druss knew it too. The two men exchanged glances and smiled.

‘They shall stay,’ said Orrin.

‘A wise decision,’ said Bowman. ‘How soon will the Nadir arrive, do you think?’

‘Too damned soon,’ muttered Druss. ‘Some time within the next three weeks, according to our scouts. Ulric lost a son, which has given us a few more days. But it’s still not enough.’

For some time the men discussed the many pro­blems facing the defenders. Finally Bowman spoke, this time hesitantly.

‘Look here, Druss, there is something I feel I should mention, but I don’t want to be thought . . . strange. I’ve been toying with the idea of not mentioning it, but . . .’

‘Speak on, laddie. You’re among friends . . . mostly.’

‘I had a strange dream last night and you appeared in it. I would have dismissed it – but seeing you today made me think again. I dreamed I was woken from a deep sleep by a warrior in silver armour. I could see right through him, as if he was a ghost. He told me that he had been trying to contact you, but without success. When he spoke it was like a voice in my mind. He said that his name was Serbitar and that he was travelling with his friends and a woman called Virae.