‘What do you want here?’ demanded Finnigal.
Bane smiled. ‘Relax, captain. We are here to help you.’
‘I need no help from a scurvy—’
Bane raised his hand. ‘Say nothing more, captain,’ he advised. ‘Come, walk with me.’ Turning away, Bane strode towards the forge. He did not look back to see whether Finnigal was following.
‘If there’s the first sign of trouble, attack them,’ Finnigal told Prasalis. Then he moved after Bane, who was waiting by the forge fence.
‘If you have come here to rob—’
‘Shut your mouth, boy,’ snapped Bane, ‘and listen to what I have to say. There are two hundred Sea Wolves close by, and we have no time to bicker with one another. Now it is my intention to open Nanncumal’s armoury and get mailshirts, swords and bucklers for my men. Then we will help you evacuate the settlement, and put ourselves under your orders for a rearguard. I have sixty bowmen, and forty other men who will fight with sword or axe. That gives us at least a fighting chance of protecting the refugees. You hear what I am saying?’
‘I expect your price will be high for this,’ said Finnigal. Bane’s eyes grew cold and hard, and Finnigal felt the onset of fear.
‘Aye,’ said Bane, ‘my price will be high. Now do you have a scout in the east?’
‘Of course.’
‘Then he should give us at least some warning when the raiders are close.’ Bane scanned the settlement. ‘Why are so many people still here?’
‘The Lady Meria refused to leave. Others have followed her lead.’
‘Is that so? We will attend to that presently. But first I will arm my men. Be so good as to advise yours to put away their weapons and continue with the evacuation.’
Finnigal reddened. ‘Is this what you meant about putting yourself under my orders?’
Bane paused, and when he spoke his words surprised the young officer. ‘You are quite right, Captain. How do you wish to proceed?’
Finnigal suddenly felt foolish, and a little ashamed. If the Sea Wolves were coming, he would need every fighting man he could find. He looked at Bane, and saw the contained anger in the man. ‘This has been a tense day,’ he said, by way of an apology. ‘Take your men into the forge and arm them.’ Turning to his men he called out: ‘Put away your swords and continue with the evacuation.’
Leaving the bowmen outside Bane led the others through to the rear of the forge and the armoury beyond. The bald, stooped figure of Nanncumal stepped in front of the doorway.
‘What are you doing here, Bane?’ he asked. ‘Bringing more shame upon the family?’
‘Naturally,’ said Bane. ‘However, we have little time for debate, Grandfather. The enemy is coming and I need armour and weapons.’
‘You are letting him do this?’ Nanncumal asked Finnigal.
‘I have instructed him to do it,’ said Finnigal. ‘Bane and his men are now under my orders.’
This is madness,’ persisted Nanncumal. ‘These men are robbers and killers.’
‘Stand aside, Grandfather,’ said Bane softly.
‘Do it!’ roared Finnigal. Nanncumal took a step to the left and Bane went by him into the armoury, his men trooping after him. Finnigal approached the elderly blacksmith. ‘They are pledged to protect the refugees, and we badly need them, sir,’ he said.
‘But there are no Sea Wolves close by,’ said Nanncumal. The Lady Meria insists that Vorna is mistaken.’
‘I hope she is right,’ said Finnigal, ‘but I do not believe that she is.’
From inside the armoury came the sounds of whooping and laughter.
‘Do you know,’ asked Nanncumal, ‘how much that armour is worth? Each mailshirt costs ten ounces of gold, and you are giving them away. You will have to answer for it.’
‘I doubt that,’ said Finnigal. ‘I am charged with protecting the Lady Meria. If she stays, I stay. So it is likely that by dusk today I shall be dead.’
The old man looked at him, and his expression changed. ‘You are a good man, Finnigal,’ he said. More laughter came from inside. ‘I’d better see what they are taking.’
Finnigal nodded and returned to the main street.