'We could use captured Sathuli children,' offered Galen. 'Make a swift raid into the mountains. After all, they have allied with Gothir against us.'

Karnak shook his head. 'Such an action would sully my reputation, turn the people against me. There's no way it could be kept secret. No, my friends, I think we'll have to rely on stout hearts and sharp swords. And luck, let's not forget that! But in the meantime, find Bodalen.'

'He probably believes he's safer in hiding,' said Asten.

'Find him and convince him otherwise,' ordered Karnak.

Waylander banked up the fire and settled back against the boulder, watching the sleeping Nadir. Belash had tried to keep up, but had fallen several times, vomiting beside the trail. The blows to the head had weakened the warrior and Waylander had helped him to a sheltered hollow.

'Your skull may be cracked,' said Waylander, as the man lay shivering beside the fire.

'No.'

'It's not made of stone, Beiash.'

'Tomorrow I will be strong,' promised the Nadir. In the dying light of the sun his face was grey, dark streaks colouring the skin beneath his slanted eyes.

Waylander touched the man's throat. The pulse was strong, but erratic. 'Sleep,' he said, covering the man with his cloak. The flames licked hungrily at the dry wood and Waylander reached out his hands, enjoying the warmth. The hound lay at his side, huge head on massive paws. Idly Waylander stroked the beast's ruined ears. A low rumbling growl came from its throat. 'Quiet,' said Waylander, smiling. 'You know you enjoy it, so stop complaining.'

He gazed at the sleeping Nadir. I should have killed you, he thought idly, but he did not regret allowing the man to live. There was something about Belash that struck a chord in him. A shadow flickered at the edge of his vision. Waylander glanced to his left. Sitting by the fire was a hooded old woman, her face a remarkable picture of ancient decay and ugliness, her teeth rotten, her nose swollen and blue-veined, her eyes rheumy and yellow.

'You move silently, Hewla,' whispered Waylander.

'No, I don't. I move like an old crone with my joints cracking like dry twigs.'

'I did not hear you.'

'That's because I'm not here, child,' she told him, reaching out her hand and thrusting it into the flames, which danced and flickered through suddenly transparent skin and bone. 'I am sitting by my own fire, in my own cabin.'

'What do you require of me?'

Her eyes glinted with amusement, her mouth forming the parody of a smile. 'Not impressed with my magic? How dull. You have no inkling of the concentration needed to produce this image. But do your eyes widen in wonder? Do you sit there jaw agape in amazement? No. You ask what I require. What makes you think I require anything, child? Perhaps I felt in need of company.'

'Unlikely,' he said, with a wry smile. 'But you are welcome whatever. Are you well?'

'When you are four hundred and eleven years old the question is irrelevant. I haven't been well since the old King's grandfather was a child. I'm just too stubborn to die.' She glanced at the sleeping Nadir. 'He dreams of killing you,' she said.

He shrugged. 'His dreams are his own affair.'

'You are a strange man, Waylander. Still, the dog likes you.'

He chuckled. 'He'll make a better friend than most men.'

'Aye.' The old woman fell silent, but her gaze remained on the black-garbed warrior. 'I always liked you, child,' she said softly. 'You never feared me. I was sorry to hear of the death of your lady.'

He looked away. 'Life moves on,' he said.

'Indeed it does. Morak will come again. He is no coward, but he likes to be sure. And Senta is even now approaching your cabin. What will you do?'

'What do you think?' he countered.

'You'll fight them until they kill you. Not the most subtle of plans, is it?'

'I never was a man suited to subtlety.'

'Nonsense. It's just that you have always been a little in love with death. Perhaps it would help to know why they are hunting you?'

'Does it matter?'

'You won't know unless I tell you!' she snapped.

'Then tell me.'

'Karnak has a son, Bodalen. He is allied to the Brother­hood. He and some friends were riding near a village, south of Drenan. They saw a young woman gathering herbs. The men had been drinking, and she aroused their lust. They chased her. She turned and fought, breaking one man's jaw. Then she ran. Bodalen followed her. As she fled she glanced back, lost her footing, and fell. She tumbled over the edge of a rock-face. Her neck was broken in the fall. Her husband came upon the scene. He was unarmed. The men killed him, leaving him by her body. You hear what I am saying?'

'I hear, but I don't know what it has to do with me,' he answered.

"They were seen riding from the area and Bodalen was brought to trial. He was sentenced to a year in exile, and Karnak paid a fortune in blood-geld to the dead man's father.'

Waylander's mouth was dry. 'Where was the village?'

'Adderbridge.'

'Are you saying he killed my Krylla!' hissed Waylander.

'Yes. Karnak found out that you were her guardian. He fears you will seek Bodalen. That is why the Guild hunt you.'

Waylander's mind was reeling and his unfocused eyes stared into the darkness, memories flooding him with echoes of the past, Krylla and Miriel splashing in the stream by the cabin, laughing and squealing in the sunshine, Krylla's tears when the pet goose died, her happiness when Nualin had proposed, the gaiety of the wedding and the dance that followed it. He saw her smiling face, the twin of Miriel, but with a mouth that smiled more easily and a manner that won over every heart. With great effort he forced the memories back and turned his now cold eyes on the witch woman's image.

'Why did you come here, Hewla?' he asked icily.

'I told you. I like you. Always have.'

'That may or may not be true. But I ask again, why did you come?'

'Hmm, I do so admire you, child. There is no fooling you, is there?' Her malevolent eyes gleamed in the firelight. 'Yes, there is more to this than just Bodalen.'

'I did not doubt it.'

'Have you heard of Zhu Chao?'

Waylander shook his head. 'Nadir?'

'No. Chiatze. He is a practitioner of the Dark Arts. No more than that, though he would no doubt describe himself as a wizard. He is young – not yet sixty, and still has the strength to summon demons to his bidding. He has rebuilt the Brotherhood, and – nominally, mark you! – serves the Gothir Emperor.'

'And Bodalen?'

'Karnak's son reveres him. The Brotherhood is behind the coming wars. They have infiltrated many of the noble houses of Ventria, Gothir and Drenai. They seek to rule, and perhaps they will succeed – who knows?'

'And you want me to kill Zhu Chao.'

'Very astute. Yes, I want him dead.'

'I am no longer an assassin, Hewla. If the man was threatening you then I would deal with him. But I will not hunt him down for you.'

'But you will hunt Bodalen,' she whispered.

'Oh, yes. I will find him. And he will know justice.'

'Good. You will find him with Zhu Chao,' she said. 'And if the little wizard should happen to step into the path of one of your bolts, so be it.'

'He is in Gulgothir?'

'Indeed he is. I think he feels safer there. Well, I shall leave you now. It is difficult at my age to hold such a spell.' He said nothing. She shook her head. 'Not even a thank you for old Hewla?'

'Why should I thank you?' he answered. 'You have brought me only pain.'

'No, no, child. I have saved your life. Look inside yourself. You no longer wish to wait here and die alongside your lovely Danyal. No. The wolf is back. Waylander lives again.'

Angry words rose in his throat. But Hewla had vanished.