Okas joined them and the party rode on for an hour, camping just before daybreak in a shallow lava ditch.
Finn clapped Kiall’s shoulder. ‘Not many men have been kissed by a lion,’ he said. ‘It will be something to tell your children.’
‘I thought he was going to tear my head off,’ said Kiall.
‘I thought of doing the same,’ snapped Chareos. ‘Did you not see the sign for silence? Did you take lessons in stupidity, or does it come naturally?’
‘Leave him be, Blademaster,’ said Finn. ‘You were young once. Do you know why the lion nuzzled you, Kiall?’
‘No.’
‘He has scent glands in his mouth. Lions often mark their territory with them. You were lucky – mostly they urinate to establish the borders of their domain.’
‘In that case I feel doubly lucky,’ said Kiall, smiling. He turned to Okas. ‘How long before we reach the Nadren settlement?’
‘Tomorrow … the day after.’ The old man shrugged. The hunters are everywhere. We must continue to move with care.’
‘Will Ravenna still be there, do you think?’ Kiall asked Chareos.
‘I would doubt it. But we’ll find out where she went.’
‘I’m sorry for that mistake,’ apologised Kiall, seeing that Chareos was still angry.
The older man smiled. ‘Finn was right, we were all young once. Do not allow mistakes to become a habit. But there is something we must talk about. There is no way we can rescue all the women who may be held by the Nadren – we are not strong enough – so prepare yourself for disappointment, Kiall. It will be wonderful if we can establish where Ravenna was sent, but there is no more than that to be gained. You understand?’
‘But if they are there, we must make the attempt, surely?’
‘What purpose would it serve? You have seen yourself the difficulty we are experiencing just getting to the settlement. Can you imagine what chance we would have of getting out?’
Kiall wanted to argue, to find some compelling reason why Chareos was wrong. But he had seen the arid lands of the Steppes and knew that they would have no chance to escape, encumbered by perhaps twenty freed captives.
Yet he could not bring himself to answer Chareos. He looked away and stared at the stars.
‘I know that you made a promise, Kiall,’ continued Chareos. ‘I know what that means to you. But it was a foolhardy promise. All life is compromise, and a man can do only his best.’
‘As you say, I made a promise,’ returned Kiall. ‘And, yes, it was foolish. But perhaps I can buy them back? I have gold.’
‘And they would sell them to you – and a day later, or even before, they would ride after you, kill you and take back what they sold. We are not dealing with men of honour.’
‘We shall see,’ said Kiall. ‘It may all be as you say. But let us not decide until the day comes.’
‘When the sun rises, the day has come,’ said Chareos.
Kiall settled down to sleep, but his thoughts were many. He had dreamt of riding off like a knight in pursuit of his love; he had pictured her returning beside him, her gratitude and love sustaining him. But it was almost four months now since she had been taken and he was as likely to find her wed to a savage, or dead. As for the other women, many of them he had not known too well. He had always been shy in female company, and they had laughed at his blushes. Lucia, the baker’s daughter, had always been kind to him. But what could he offer her now? Her father was dead, her home burned. If he took her back she would have nowhere to live, and would probably be forced to find employment in Talgithir. Then there was Trianis, the niece of Paccus the seer. Again there were no living relatives. He ran the names of the captives through his mind: Cascia, Juna, Colia, Menea … so many.
Chareos was right. How could they attempt to rescue twenty or more young women and then spirit them across the Steppes?