‘Where are you going?’ asked Finn.
‘I’m going to kill a few Nadren. Then I am going to have a drink – many drinks.’
The giant vanished back into the fray. Finn sat back and looked down at Maggrig. He felt for the younger man’s pulse; it was strong and even.
‘You are nothing but trouble for me,’ said Finn.
Slowly the battle turned. The lancers, fighting with sabres now, were more disciplined than the raiders and Chareos had linked with Salida at the centre. The two swordsmen seemed invincible. Several of the Nadren turned from the fight and kicked their horses into a gallop. Others followed them. In all, seventeen Nadren escaped.
The others were killed where they stood . . .
Eleven lancers were dead, four more seriously wounded, and the open ground before the tavern was blood-drenched. Six horses had been killed and two others crippled and put down. Everywhere lay the corpses of dead warriors. In the sudden calm Salida lifted one leg and slid from the saddle. He wiped his sabre clean on the shirt of a dead man, and returned it to his scabbard. Chareos dismounted alongside him.
‘A timely arrival, Captain,’ said the former monk.
‘Indeed, Chareos. My thanks. You fought well.’
‘Needs must when demons rise,’ quoted Chareos.
‘We need to talk,’ said Salida, leading his horse away from the slaughter field. Chareos followed him to a well at the rear of the tavern where both men drank, then Salida sat down on the well wall. The Earl has ordered your arrest. He means to see you hanged.’
‘For what?’ said Chareos. ‘Even an earl must have a reason.’
‘The murder of Logar.’
‘How can a man be accused of murder when he is attacked by three swordsmen?’
‘Logar was unarmed.’
‘Un . . . Wait a moment.’ Chareos moved back to the battle-ground and called Kiall to him. ‘Give me your sword for a second.’ He took the sabre to Salida. ‘You recognise this?’
The Captain examined the blade and looked up. ‘Yes, it is Logar’s sabre. But that means nothing, Chareos. There is a witness against you and the Earl wishes you dead.’
‘Do you believe me?’
The Captain smiled wearily. ‘I believed in you even before I saw the sword. Logar was a snake. But that is not the point at issue and you leave me with a problem. My orders are to take you back – if I do, you will hang for certain; if I don’t, I will be stripped of my command. Why in Bar’s name did you cancel those cursed lessons?’ Without waiting for an answer, Salida stood and returned to the tavern. He summoned an under-officer and gave instructions for the clearing away of the bodies.
Chareos sat by the well with Kiall beside him. ‘What will you do?’ asked the villager. Chareos shrugged. ‘You can’t go back,’ said Kiall.
‘No,’ Chareos agreed, ‘I can’t go back.’ A shadow fell across them and Chareos was suddenly lifted from his feet and held in a crushing bear-hug. Beltzer spun him round several times, then kissed him on both cheeks.
‘I couldn’t believe my eyes,’ said the giant. ‘Blade-master? What are you doing here? Did you come to see me? Have you a task for me? Dear Gods of Heaven, what a day!’
‘Put me down, you ape!’ thundered Chareos. Beltzer dropped him and stepped back, hands on hips.
‘Gods, but you look older. Maggrig and Finn are here. We’re all here! It’s wonderful. I’ve been waiting for something to happen. Anything! But to have you here . . . well, say something, Blademaster.’
‘You look dreadful,’ said Chareos, ‘and your breath would make rotting fish smell like perfume. Moreover I think you’ve broken one of my ribs.’
‘Who is the boy?’ asked Beltzer, jerking a thumb at Kiall.
‘His name is Kiall. We are travelling together.’
‘Good to meet you,’ said Beltzer, thumping Kiall on the back. The villager groaned and staggered. ‘What’s the matter with him?’
‘He suffered a whipping,’ snapped Chareos, rubbing at his ribs, ‘which I think you just reminded him of. Do you live here now?’
‘After a fashion. I’ve been helping Naza – the tavern owner. Come, you must be dying of thirst. Let’s have a drink or two … or three. Gods, what a lucky day! I’ll fetch us some ale.’ Beltzer ambled away towards the tavern.