Valour

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN

LYKOS

Lykos leaped from the boat into the foaming surf and waded to shore. He stood upon a long strip of beach, a wide river flowing out into the sea behind him. On the horizon he could see a dark strip of forest.

Tenebral, it is good to see you again.

He had been away from here far too long. This place was too important to his plans.

Can a god read my mind? Even a fallen one? I hope not, even though he can speak into it.

His hand reached inside his cloak, fingertips touching his gift from Calidus.

Calidus had given it to him at Dun Carreg. ‘Help Jael take the realm of Isiltir for his own, then you must return to Tenebral. Fidele cannot be left unwatched. She is changeable, and Tenebral is important. She will need to be steered. Use diplomacy if you can, but if all else fails, use this.’ Calidus had given him a box, in it something wrapped in linen, no bigger than his thumb.

It had been good to return to the Three Islands, to Panos, Nerin and Pelset, and see that old oaths were renewed, but he had taken too long in his visiting, he knew. It was the eve of winter now. He should have been back sooner.

On the beach still reared the bones of ships, hulls half-fitted with long strakes of oak supported by timber scaffolding.

He frowned. They should be finished, ready for the ocean.

He looked about, saw Alazon the old shipwright striding towards him with his rolling gait. He didn’t look happy. Behind him, at the beach’s edge, stood a knot of warriors. Men of Tenebral, dressed in leather kilts and black cuirasses embossed with a white eagle. They started making their way towards him.

Something’s wrong. Deinon and his other shieldmen splashed ashore behind him. He heard Deinon draw his sword.

‘Put it away,’ Lykos said.

Alazon drew close. ‘They have found the fighting pits, have slain men, taken prisoners, freed our slaves,’ Alazon blurted. That was all he had a chance to say before the warriors of Tenebral reached them.

‘Lykos of the Vin Thalun,’ one of them said.

‘Aye, you know I am.’

‘You will come with us. The Lady Fidele orders your presence.’

‘Of course. I’d like that.’ He grinned. ‘We’ve got a lot to talk about.’