‘Don’t fight them, Bane,’ pleaded Banouin. ‘Just let them go.’
‘You don’t change, do you?’ said the warrior amiably. ‘Always soft-hearted. We can’t just let them go. What about the next traveller who passes this way? We’ll be dooming him. These creatures are vermin. They should be treated as such.’
‘Vermin!’ hissed the one-eyed man. ‘Who do you—?’
Bane raised a hand. ‘If you don’t mind,’ he said, ‘I was talking to my friend. So if you value the last moments of your miserable life, be silent. Take a lingering look at the swans, or the trees, or whatever.’ He turned back to Banouin. ‘Why do you want them to live? They were about to kill you.’
Banouin pointed to the one-eyed man. ‘He was a hero at Cogden Field. He was proud and brave. In terrible pain he fought and gave no ground. His eye was torn out by an arrow, his hand mutilated. Yet he stood firm, with all the other heroes. I do not know what has made him what he is, but he could be a good man again. If you kill him he will never have the chance.’
Bane swung his gaze to the other two men. ‘And what of these? You think they might choose one day to be gentle druids, or healers?’
‘I do not know anything about them. But I ask you to let them go. No harm has been done.’
‘Why are we listening to this?’ Black Beard asked One-eye. ‘He’s just one man!’
‘Indeed he is, you ugly whoreson,’ said Bane, ‘and he’d be grateful if you’d just draw your sword and put an end to this debate.’
‘Leave your sword where it is!’ shouted Banouin. ‘Please, Bane, just let them go.’
Bane sighed. Moving to One-eye he placed his hand on the man’s shoulder. ‘He has been like this since a child,’ he said. ‘It is beyond understanding. I blame the mixed blood, and the fact that his mother is a witch. You know, when other children tormented him he never sought revenge. Has no understanding of hate at all. I’ve never known anyone like him.’ He sighed again. ‘And he brings out the worst in me. So, against my better judgement, I’ll let you live.’ Suddenly he brightened. ‘Unless, of course, you’d prefer to fight?’
One-eye shrugged off Bane’s hand and walked to where Banouin stood. ‘I am not afraid of death,’ he said. ‘You believe me?’
‘I do,’ said Banouin.
‘I am glad we didn’t kill you,’ said One-eye. ‘It was good to be reminded of what I once was. You really believe I can become that man again?’
‘If you choose to,’ said Banouin.
‘Probably too late for me,’ said the man sadly. Gesturing to the others he walked away. The slim blond man followed instantly, but Black Beard stood for a moment, staring malevolently at Bane.
‘Any time, goat-face,’ said Bane.
‘Karn!’ yelled One-eye. ‘Let’s go!’
Reluctantly Karn followed the others.
Bane sat down on a fallen tree and looked at his friend. ‘That was a mistake,’ he said.
‘What are you doing here?’ asked Banouin.
‘Looking after you, apparently. Do you have any food?’
It took Banouin an age to light a small fire, but finally tiny flames licked at the tinder. Bane had wandered off, and Banouin unpacked his saddlebag, removing an old copper pot, a wooden plate, a bag of dried oats, and a chunk of dry-cured salt beef. The sun was dipping below the horizon when Bane returned. He squatted down next to Banouin.
‘Time to go,’ he said.
‘Go? I’ve only just got the fire going.’
‘Life just isn’t fair,’ said Bane. ‘But if you’d like to be alive in the morning I suggest you saddle your horse.’
‘One-eye won’t come back,’ said Banouin. ‘I looked into his mind, and I know there is still some good in him.’
‘Maybe he won’t, but the big ugly one will. And he won’t come alone.’
Bane moved to his horse and mounted. Banouin repacked his saddlebag, tacked up the chestnut and went back to the fire. ‘Leave it,’ said Bane. ‘In fact, add a little more wood. It’ll draw them, throw them off the scent.’