‘Will you be sorry when I am dead?’ she countered.
‘Yes,’ he told her, without hesitation.
Smoothly she rolled to her feet and moved in close to him, her arm circling his neck. Her lips brushed his cheek. ‘Foolish Ekodas,’ she whispered. Then she released him.
‘Why am I foolish?’ he asked.
Take me to the Abbot. I wish to leave now.’
*
Waylander reined in the black gelding and dismounted, walking the last few paces to the crest of the hill where he bellied down and studied the line of mountains stretching from west to east across the great Sentran Plain. The hound Scar padded up the hill, stretching out alongside him.
There were three routes to the north, but which one should they take? North-east lay the Delnoch Pass, with its new six-walled fortress. That was the direct road to Gulgothir and the Mountains of the Moon, but would the commanding officer have been warned to watch for Waylander?
He sighed and swung his gaze to the north and the high lonely passes inhabited by Sathuli tribesmen, long-time enemies of the Drenai. No wagons passed through their lands, no convoys, no travellers. Ferocious fighters, the Sathuli lived their lives in isolation from the civilisations of both Gothir and Drenai.
Lastly there was Dros Purdol, the harbour fortress, far to the east. But beyond that was the great desert of Namib. Waylander had crossed it before. Twice. He had no wish to see it again.
No. He would have to risk Delnoch.
Just as he was about to push back from the skyline he caught a glint of light to the east. Remaining where he was he waited, eyes focused on the distant tree line. A column of riders appeared, lances held to the vertical, sunlight gleaming from the polished iron helms and weapons. There were some thirty lancers, moving slowly, conserving the strength of their mounts.
Waylander eased back from the crest then rose and walked to where the others waited. Scar followed, keeping close to Waylander’s side. ‘We’ll wait here for an hour,’ he said, ‘then we’ll make for Delnoch.’
‘You see anything?’ asked Angel.
‘Lancers. They are riding for the fortress.’
‘You think they might be looking for us?’ put in Senta.
Waylander shrugged. ‘Who knows? Karnak is anxious to see me dead. By now my description could be with every army unit within fifty miles.’
Miriel rose and strolled to the hilltop, crouching behind a screen of gorse to gaze down on the lancers. For some minutes she remained motionless, then returned to the group. ‘The officer is Dun Egan,’ she told Waylander. ‘He is tired and hungry, and thinking about a woman he knows in a tavern by Wall Two. And yes, he has your description. Twenty of his men are behind us, to the south-west. They have orders to apprehend you.’
‘What now?’ asked Angel.
Waylander’s expression was grim. ‘Across the mountains,’ he said at last.
‘The Sathuli are fine fighters, and they don’t like strangers,’ Senta pointed out.
‘I’ve been through before. To kill me they have to catch me.’
‘You intend going alone?’ asked Miriel softly.
‘It is best,’ he replied. ‘You and the others make for Delnoch. I will find you beyond the mountains.’
‘No. We should be together. My Talents can keep us safe.’
‘There’s truth in that,’ Angel observed.
‘Perhaps there is,’ agreed Waylander, ‘but against that, five riders raise more dust than one. Five horses make more noise than one. The high passes exaggerate every sound. A falling stone can sometimes be heard half a mile away. No. I go alone.’ Miriel started to speak, but he touched a finger to her lips. ‘No more argument, Miriel,’ he said with a smile. ‘I have hunted alone for more than half my life. I am at my strongest alone. Go to Delnoch, and once through the fortress head due north. I will find you.’
‘I will be with you,’ she whispered, leaning in close and kissing his cheek.
‘Always,’ he agreed.
Moving to his mount, Waylander swung into the saddle and touched heels to the gelding’s side. The hound loped alongside as the black-garbed rider crested the hill. The lancers were tiny dots in the distance now and Waylander gave them not a moment of thought as he angled towards the rearing Delnoch peaks.