Far off to the west he saw a rider, keeping to the low hollows. Beltzer shaded his eyes and tried to identify the man; it looked like Finn. Scanning the hills and hollows, he could see no pursuers. He thought of waking Chareos, but hesitated. The Blademaster was bone-weary, he needed rest. Slowly the rider made his way up the slope. It was Finn. He dismounted and led the horse into the clearing, then walked back to Beltzer.
‘Where is Maggrig?’ Finn asked.
‘He’s not back yet,’ Beltzer told him.
Finn sank to the ground. ‘I didn’t think I’d make it; they almost had me. I killed two of them and then rode into a swirling river. I lost my bow. I thought the horse would drown and I hung on to the pommel. But he’s a good beast. He swam well – and found solid ground.’
‘Get some rest,’ Beltzer advised him.
Finn shook his head. ‘I’ve got to find Maggrig.’
‘Don’t be a fool! The Nadir are everywhere. Maggrig is probably holed up in some cave. He’ll wait till nightfall, then make it back. If you ride out there, you’ll lead them to him.’
Finn sighed. ‘You are right. I’ll sleep for a while. Wake me if he comes.’
Beltzer nodded. ‘We got the girl,’ he said. ‘It went well.’
Finn did not reply but lay on the grass and closed his eyes. Beltzer sat with his back to a tree and dozed in the morning sunshine. He awoke to see Harokas kneeling beside Chareos. The hawk-nosed warrior was staring intently at the face of the sleeping man; his expression was hard to read, but Beltzer could see he was troubled.
‘Don’t wake him,’ said Beltzer softly and Harokas looked up.
‘I was sent here to kill him.’
‘I know,’ said Beltzer. ‘So does he.’
‘But there is no need, is there? You have all decided to die. And I am glad to be relieved of the task.’
Harokas rose and walked away to his horse. Beltzer watched him mount and ride away.
At the centre of the clearing Kiall awoke. He sat up and looked down at Tanaki. Her colour was better. Opening his pack, he took out some comfrey leaves which he mixed with cold water. It was good for swellings and he laboured over the poultice for some time. Satisfied at last, he touched Tanaki’s hand and she awoke with a start.
‘You are with friends,’ he told her, his voice soothing. ‘It is me, Kiall. I have a poultice here for your eyes. Lie still.’ She said nothing as he placed the cool cloth over her eyelids. He took her hand and patted it gently.
‘The Wolves?’ she whispered.
‘Gone.’
‘How did … ?’
‘Do not talk, lady. Rest. We came into the town last night and slew the men who . . . attacked you. Then we carried you here. You are safe.’
‘Why?’
‘Rest now. Let the poultice do its work.’ He tried to release her hand, but her fingers gripped his.
‘Why?’ she asked again.
‘Because you were in need,’ he said lamely. He sat with her for several minutes; then her fingers relaxed their grip and he saw she was asleep once more. He stood and stretched. Beltzer was asleep by a tree on the crown of the hill, Chareos and Finn lying close by. Of Harokas and Maggrig there was no sign.
The voice of Okas sounded in his mind. ‘Kiall, can you hear me?’
‘Yes,’ he answered aloud, looking down at the old man’s sleeping form. The voice was like a whisper through time, impossibly distant and yet clear. ‘I can hear you.’
‘Tell Chareos to travel to the Mountains of the Moon. Tell him to seek out Asta Khan. Tell him I am sorry.’
The voice faded. Kiall moved to Okas and knelt by the body. It was stiff and cold.
The Tattooed Man was dead.
*
They buried the old man on the crown of the hill and stood silently around the grave. ‘The first of us to die,’ whispered Beltzer, his words hanging in the air. He walked back to the camp-site and sat staring at the blades of his axe, twirling the haft in his hands.