‘Definitely.’ The Unknown smeared a chunk of bread around his plate and then placed it carefully in his mouth. ‘There is an argument, therefore, that says we helped you take the amulet, however unwittingly.’

Denser inclined his head and refilled his mug from the copper pot on the table.

‘What sort of percentage did you have in mind?’

‘Five per cent of sale value.’

Denser blew out his cheeks. ‘That’ll be a lot of money.’

It was The Unknown’s turn to shrug. ‘Call it compensation for the death of a Raven man. Or for the countless nights we wake up shaking and sweating from the visions of what we saw in there. I don’t mind telling you, it took all the control I had not to turn and run.’

‘That would be a first ever,’ said Ilkar eventually into the void. The Unknown inclined his head.

‘He wouldn’t have been the only one,’ said Sirendor. More nods around the table mixed with the odd smile.

‘And none of you know the half of it.’ All heads turned to see Hirad standing in the doorway of the kitchen. He walked towards them slowly, his face drawn and pinched round the eyes.

‘You all right, Hirad?’ asked Sirendor.

‘Not really. I was outside remembering what Sha-Kaan said, and if that doorway was still there I’d be taking the amulet back to him.’

‘Why?’ Sirendor again, and Denser held his breath.

‘Something he said. About holding the portal from his world to ours and guarding something we shouldn’t have made. Whatever it was, he is angry now, so what if he chooses not to hold the portal any longer?’

‘I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about, Hirad.’ Sirendor for the third time.

‘Neither have I really,’ said Hirad. ‘Just that if we ever see a Dragon in the skies of Balaia, it’ll be the end for all of us.’

‘What do you mean, exactly?’ asked Denser.

‘What do you think I mean?’ snapped the barbarian. ‘We’ll all die. They are too powerful and there are too many of them. Trust me.’ He moved to the cooking pots and ladled himself some meat into a bowl.

‘Look. Going back a little.’ Deriser’s attention was once again on The Unknown Warrior. ‘I’ll agree to the five per cent if you agree to bodyguard me back to Korina.’

Ilkar swung round from where he had been staring at Hirad as if he had been slapped in the face. ‘I have already told you that we will not work for Xetesk.’ His voice was low, steady and certain.

‘Just exactly how much do you think that thing is worth, Xetesk man?’ asked Hirad.

Denser raised his eyebrows. ‘Well, though I can’t guarantee it, I think we’re talking in the region of five million truesilver.’ There was a brief pause of slack-jawed disbelief.

‘Well take the job.’

‘Hirad!’ snapped Ilkar. ‘You do not understand.’

‘It’s good money, Ilkar.’

‘It’s unbelievable, more like,’ said Talan. ‘That’s a quarter of a million truesilver for taking a passenger down a road we’re already travelling.’ Hirad just mouthed the figure.

‘You know something, Hirad, I just cannot believe that you of all people would agree to this. He all but had you killed.’ Ilkar’s tone bordered on contempt.

‘Yeah, so he owes me.’ Hirad kept his face away from the Xeteskian as he spoke. ‘I don’t have to like him. I don’t even have to look at him. In fact I can go on hating him. All I have to do is put up with him riding near by on the way back to Korina. Then he pays us a great deal of money and we never see him again. I think I can handle it.’

‘Anyway it’s not that simple,’ said Ilkar.

‘Yes it is.’

‘It isn’t and I have a real problem with it,’ began Ilkar, but the barbarian loomed over him.

‘I know you don’t agree with the Xetesk morality—’

‘That’s an understatement and a half—’

‘—but considering what you lot have been about behind my back, I don’t think it’s the kind of money we should turn down, do you? It might be the last we ever make.’ He straightened. Ilkar just scowled at him. ‘Face it, Ilkar, you’ll be outvoted. Don’t make it difficult.’ Ilkar’s eyes narrowed to slits.

The Unknown reached a hand across to Denser. ‘We have a contract. Talan will write it and you and I will sign it. No actual value will be mentioned but the percentage and intention to pay will be registered.’

‘Excellent,’ said Denser. The two men shook.

‘Indeed it is.’ The Unknown drained his mug. ‘You know what, I can feel a Rookery party coming on.’

The door to the kitchens opened again.

‘I hear you couldn’t save my mage. A pity. He was a good man, Seran.’

The Raven turned to look at their employer, and Denser his erstwhile opponent for the first time. Baron Gresse was middle-aged with a powerful mind and a quartet of sons to make up for his own fading strength. Spurning rich man’s clothes - and he was among the top five Barons in terms of wealth - he walked in wearing practical riding garb, cloak over one arm, leather jerkin, woollen shirt and leather thighed cloth trousers.

He dismissed his men at arms from the door and waved away the babbling kitchen folk as he made his way to The Raven’s table. He studied them all through his large brown eyes, his balding grey head moving smoothly as he did so. He reached out a hand.

‘The Unknown Warrior.’

‘Baron Gresse.’ The men shook.

‘A pleasure to make your acquaintance.’

‘Likewise.’ The Unknown glanced along the table. ‘Get the Baron some coffee, Talan.’

‘Well, well, The Raven. Hardly a surprise we won the day. Seran always chose well.’ Gresse chewed his lip. ‘Where will I find another like him, eh?’

‘Julatsa,’ said Ilkar. ‘At least we’re consistent.’

Gresse chuckled. ‘Do you mind if I sit down?’ He gestured at the bench. Ilkar moved along and he sat. Talan placed coffee in front of him. He nodded his thanks.

An awkward silence fell around the table. Denser scratched his beard nervously. The Unknown gazed at the Baron, impassive as always. Ilkar’s ears pricked.

‘I shan’t keep you in suspense,’ said Gresse, sipping at his beverage, a smile playing about his lips. ‘But I was hoping you might be able to back up something I’ve heard.’

‘Of course,’ said The Unknown. ‘If we can.’

‘Good. I’ll be brief. I have been called to a meeting of the Korina Trade Alliance concerning deteriorating conditions to the west of the Blackthorne Mountains. There are rumours that the Wesmen have stepped up activity, broken the Understone Pass Right of Passage agreement, and there are fears of incursions into the east - although I should point out that the garrison at Understone itself has reported nothing out of the ordinary. I need to know whether you have picked up any rumours. I understand you were fighting with Baron Blackthorne himself not long ago, and he is unable to attend the meeting.’ Gresse’s eyes twinkled.

‘We only fought with him so The Unknown could get a better deal on his wine.’ Sirendor smiled.

‘I feel sure you did not.’

‘As it happened, that was part of the agreement,’ said The Unknown. ‘As regards rumours, we heard plenty while we were there, but this is six months ago we’re talking about.’

‘Anything you heard, even in passing, that I could bring to the table would be useful.’

‘Put it this way,’ said Ilkar. ‘If you believed everything you heard, the Wytch Lords are back, Parve is a bustling city once again and the Wesmen are torching everything west of the Blackthorne Mountains. ’

‘And you give these rumours no credence,’ said Gresse.

‘Nothing a Wesmen war party might do would surprise me,’ said Ilkar. ‘But aside from that, no.’

‘Hmmm.’ Gresse was thoughtful. ‘Interesting. Thank you for your help yesterday, by the way. I understand you lost a man. I’m sorry.’

‘It’s a risk, let’s be honest,’ said Hirad, though his tone was unconvincing.

‘Nevertheless, to lose a friend cannot be easy. I am sorry and I am grateful. Yesterday’s was a battle I couldn’t afford to lose. Literally.’