In the Gan’s quarters Ciall had set out a table for three. A jug of red wine was placed at the centre and a stew was bubbling in a pot over the fire. With trembling hands the old man filled their plates, said a prayer to the Source and set to with a wooden spoon. Tenaka tried the stew; it was bitter, but not unpleasant.
‘They’re all dead,’ said Ciall. ‘I am not mad – I know they’re dead but they’re here just the same.’
‘If you see them, then they are here,’ said Renya.
‘Don’t humour me, woman! I see them and they tell me stories . . . Wonderful stories. They forgave me. People didn’t, but ghosts are better than people. They know more. They know a man can’t be strong all the time. They know there are some times when he can’t help running away. They forgave me – said I could be a soldier. They trust me to look after the fortress.’
Ciall winced suddenly and gripped his side. Renya looked down and saw blood flowing into the rust and dripping to the bench seat.
‘You are hurt,’ she said.
‘It’s nothing. I don’t feel it. I am a good soldier now – they tell me that.’
‘Remove your mailshirt,’ said Tenaka softly.
‘No. I am on duty.’
‘Remove it, I say!’ thundered Tenaka. ‘Am I not a Gan? There will be no lack of discipline while I am here.’
‘Yes sir,’ said Ciall, fumbling with the ancient strap. Renya stepped forward to help him and slowly the mailshirt came away. The old man made no sound. His back was raw with the marks of a whip. Renya searched the drawers and cupboards, finding an old shirt. ‘I’ll get some water,’ she said.
‘Who did this to you, Ciall?’ asked Tenaka.
‘Riders . . . yesterday. They were looking for someone.’ The old man’s eyes glittered. ‘They were looking for you, Nadir prince.’
‘I expect they were.’
Renya returned carrying a copper bowl brimming with water. Gently she washed the old man’s back, then tore the shirt into strips to place over the worst of the wounds.
‘Why did they whip you?’ Did they think you knew of my whereabouts?’
‘No,’ said Ciall sadly. ‘I think they just enjoyed it. The ghosts could do nothing. But they were sorry for me – they said I bore it bravely.’
‘Why do you stay here, Ciall?’ asked Renya.
‘I ran away, lady. When the Nadir were attacking I ran away. There was nowhere else to go.’
‘How long have you been here?’
‘A long, long time. Years probably. It’s very nice here, with lots of people to talk to. They forgave me, you see. And what I do here is important.’
‘What is it you do?’ asked Tenaka.
‘I guard the stone of Egel. It is placed by the gate and it says that the Drenai empire will fall when Corteswain is manned no more. Egel knew things. He’s been here, you know, but I wasn’t allowed to see him when he came; I hadn’t been here long then and the ghosts didn’t trust me yet.’
‘Go to sleep, Ciall,’ said Tenaka. ‘You need your rest.’
‘First I must hide your horses,’ said Ciall. ‘The riders will be coming back.’
‘I will do that,’ promised Tenaka. ‘Renya, help him into bed.’
‘I can’t sleep here – it’s the Gan’s bed.’
‘Orrin says that you can – he’s going to meet Hogun and will share his quarters tonight.’
‘He’s a good man,’ said Ciall. ‘I’m proud to serve under him. They’re all good men – even though they’re dead.’
‘Rest, Ciall. We will talk in the morning.’
‘Are you the Nadir prince who led the charge on the Ventrian raiders near Purdol?’
‘I am.’
‘Do you forgive me?’
‘I forgive you,’ said Tenaka Khan. ‘Now sleep.’
*
Tenaka awoke to the sound of galloping hooves on the cold stone of the courtyard. Kicking aside his blanket, he woke Renya and together they crawled to the window. Below some twenty riders were grouped together; they wore the red capes of Delnoch and shining helms of bronze topped with black horse-hair plumes. The leader was a tall man with a trident beard and beside him was one of the outlaws who had captured Tenaka.