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Toryn stirred. His dreams had been of his time in the Foranfae, but another being had entered — something not of his experience. Nearby, Elrik sat beside the glowing embers of the watchman’s fire. Toryn stood and went to warm his bones. His friend nodded. ‘All quiet. But I would hope so, eh, seeing as we’re only a few days out of Archonholm.’

Toryn held his hands to the fire. ‘Did you hear something a moment ago?’

‘Can’t say I did.’ He glanced to the trees. ‘A fox was yelping a while back, but she must have realized we’re no danger to her cubs.’ Elrik placed a stick on the fire. ‘Your ears must be better than mine if something woke you.’ He leaned over. ‘But seeing as you have this farsight of yours, does it help with your hearing?’

‘Not that I’m aware.’

Elrik chuckled. ‘Who would have thought it, eh. My skinny friend from the farm turns out to be a powerful wyke.’

Toryn waved a twig in Elrik’s face. ‘Ha! Then you better be careful. I might turn you into a fat toad.’

Elrik’s smile faded. ‘I’d settle for that.’ He looked up to the silver-tinged clouds. ‘I’d rather be a toad right now. Imagine, living in a wood pile without a care in the world.’

Toryn dropped the twig. ‘That does sound tempting. But what would Hamar have to say if he heard us talking of swapping places with a toad.’

Elrik laughed. ‘Ah yes.’ He hunched his back and made a face. ‘Duty, lads, duty.’ He straightened. ‘It wasn’t until I heard of his passing that I realized how much I admired the old boy. You were lucky to see him fighting the enemy.’

Toryn recalled the speed of Hamar’s sword. ‘He must have been quite a warrior in his day. It’s a shame he’s not with us now.’ He beamed. ‘I saw him in his youth. Nyomae took me back in the Song at the Menon Bridge. He was even bigger then.’

Elrik glanced to the stars between the clouds. ‘Do you think he might be… with us in a way? I mean, I know he’ll have his farm on the plain, seeing as he fell fighting the enemy, but… what about the deal with All Hallows? Do they really come back?’

Toryn watched the breeze fan the flames. ‘Not too long ago, I would have said it was all superstition or wishful thinking. But now…’ The grass turned silver as the moon found its way into clear sky. ‘I still hear his voice. For every situation I find myself in, there’s something from his countless stories to offer advice.’

Elrik grinned. ‘There were certainly many. But surely, they couldn’t all be true.’

‘He must have made some up, but he was right about the little folk.’ He thumbed to the forest. ‘Although they’re not so little.’

Elrik sighed. ‘I hope I can be like him one day. We live in more dangerous times than he did. Will we even see next summer? Who would have thought Calerdorn would fall. If the enemy can take that from us, then no other city is safe, except Archonholm... hopefully.’

Toryn nudged him. ‘If Hamar was sitting by this fire, he would be telling us that’s how the enemy want us to feel.’ He put on a gruff voice and jabbed a finger at Elrik. ‘Hope is our best defense, lad. Without it, we’re beaten before a sword is raised.’

Elrik glanced behind into the dark. ‘What about this thing you heard then? Was it from the forest, or out there on the grasslands?’

Toryn shrugged. ‘I reckon it was in my dream. Had to be. It came from above.’

The company rounded the bend and rode out of the shadow of the Foranfae. Ahead, the mighty peaks of the Kolossos rose from the lingering morning mists to greet them. At midday, they crossed the border into Emryst, the prosperous ward of Galabrant. But while the vast farmlands of Emryst produced abundant crops for the realms, the true riches lay beneath the hills to the north. Gifted to them by the gods, the people were ever grateful for the seams of precious gemstones found only in their lands. The cities of Saphrir and Kalimir were said to be the most beautiful ever built by the people of the Seven Realms. With tall, ornate towers with conical roofs decorated with gold, sapphires and emeralds, the cities were not shy displaying their wealth. While intrigued by the stories of Saphrir and Kalimir, Toryn had no desire to visit the bejeweled cities — he yearned to set eyes upon Telamir. Seeing it through the haze of farsight had only served to whet his appetite. And even Odrun, a man of little words, had found plenty to say about the strange tower.

Gundrul held up his hand and slowed his horse. Toryn drew level. ‘Have you seen something?’

‘Your eyesight is better than any here.’ The captain pointed. ‘What do you make of that?’

Toryn felt a pang of guilt. He had been daydreaming, and thus failed to notice the plume of smoke rising from the plain on their right. Toryn stood in his stirrups. ‘It’s a farmhouse. But it’s the field that smolders.’ He grimaced as he tasted the death of Greendell.

Gundrul shook his head. ‘Has to be an accident. Can’t be the work of the enemy this close to Farrand.’

Toryn’s stomach clenched. ‘Yet their servants ride through our realms with disdain for our borders. We should investigate.’

‘Our priority lies north. We would waste valuable time.’

‘Wait. I see a struggle.’ Toryn let his eyes wander across the fields. ‘Yes. A lone man against three.’

Gundrul stared at the smoke. ‘A local dispute perhaps? Or should we intervene?’

Toryn spurred his horse, calling over his shoulder. ‘We intervene! I’ve seen these fiends before.’

The captain waved his arm, wheeling the company after Toryn. They set off at a gallop. The finest horses of Archonholm responded, tearing across the grasslands, pleased to be on softer ground. As they neared the farmhouse, Toryn’s heart sank. He could not know how, but a wrong had been committed. It wrenched at his gut, forcing bile into his throat.

Gundrul spat. ‘The foul beasts. Who could do such a thing?’ Toryn’s eyes smarted from the acrid smoke, but they could not shut out the appalling sight. Three charred bodies lay at the center of a burned-out circle in the stubble of the harvested field. Gundrul stared at the smallest. He bowed his head. ‘Couldn’t be older than ten. The poor child. I hope they were dead before they burned.’

‘Captain!’ Janae strode across the field. She flinched at the gruesome sight at their feet. She pointed east. ‘Three set off at speed but a few minutes ago. They must have seen us coming. And there’s a survivor by the farmhouse. An old guard I’d wager. He’s in a bad way but he can talk.’

Toryn ran to the house. Two of their company sat comforting a bloodied man slumped against the wall. They had given him water, but Toryn guessed it would only serve to ease his passing. Gundrul caught up. He kneeled and picked up the sword by the injured man. ‘An Archonian blade to be sure.’ He placed it in the man’s hand, closing his fingers around the handle. ‘Please. Tell me your name, soldier. Your courage will be remembered.’

The man coughed. ‘Adreel. But I failed. I was too late.’

Gundrul clutched the man’s free hand. ‘Looks to me as if you fought against the odds. That’s courage in my book.’

A tear ran down Adreel’s soot-caked face. ‘Four of them. Big fellows. I came when I saw the smoke. Thought Patrel needed help.’ He spat blood. ‘That poor family. I knew something was wrong when Shepra failed to greet me.’

‘Shepra?’ Toryn glanced back to the smoke. ‘Was she his… daughter?’

He clutched his stomach. ‘His dog. Always scampered to the gate when she saw me coming.’ Adreel’s hand raised towards the field. ‘They did this.’ He choked back tears. ‘I’d known Patrel since we were lads, and his wife too.’ He choked back the tears. ‘I held Rayla, his daughter, when she was born…. She…’ His jaw clenched. ‘I made one of those swine pay. You’ll find him in the barn. At least he won’t be troubling anyone again.’

Gundrul nodded to Lorek. ‘Take Elrik and check out the dead scoundrel.’

Toryn laid his hand on Adreel’s arm. ‘Had you seen the likes of these men before?’

‘No. I’d have noticed four large chaps dressed in nothing but black.’

Toryn cursed. ‘Nordleng! I thought as much. I’ve seen their handiwork before. And to think I felt pity for the one swallowed by a droog.’

The captain glanced to the smoldering circle. ‘But why do this? What would they gain from murdering these fine folk?’ Adreel tried to speak but slumped back against the wall. Gundrul grasped his hand, ensuring Adreel had a firm grip on his sword. ‘Don’t fight it, Adreel. It’s the plains for you, my friend. You can hold your head up high when the old boys come to greet you. Go in peace, Archonian. May your hops grow, and your beer quench your thirst.’ Adreel’s eyes closed. He smiled as his last breath left him. Toryn bowed his head as the man died. His Verse flowed through Toryn, recounting the Archonian’s long, hard life, serving both the realms and his family with a good heart. He looked up to the sky. Adreel would indeed deserve his place on the Plains of Evermore.

‘I’ve searched the house, Captain.’ Janae stopped and placed a hand over her heart.

Gundrul stepped back. ‘Had those scum been here long?’

‘Several days judging by the mess. There’s no food left, and the place has been ransacked. I’d say they used the house for shelter and sustenance.’ She shook her head. ‘The poor family were just unfortunate to be in the wrong place.’

Gundrul could not take his eyes from the blackened patch where the family lay. ‘Please ready a bird. I’ll send word to Archonholm. Lady Harlyn will have to consider committing a force to track and capture… or kill these swine.’ He turned to Toryn. ‘I know you hope to talk with Nyomae with your… your magic tricks, but I think it best if we send a bird, just in case, eh. This cannot go unreported.’

‘A good decision. Our trials were not always successful.’

‘Captain.’ Elrik ran back from the barn pointing north. ‘More approach. On the road from Cafra I’d say.’ They stood to see a black and white dog bounding across the field with three on horseback following. Toryn and Gundrul strode out to meet them.

The captain pointed. ‘That must be their dog. A fine collie if I ever saw one. I reckon she’d have run for help. Poor lass will be gutted to find she’s too late.’ He held up his hand to the riders. ‘Captain Gundrul, Archonian Guard.’ The horses slowed, but Shepra scampered past. Toryn followed. She cautiously stepped onto the scorched earth, whimpering as she endured the heat, but the faithful dog would not be separated from her family. Toryn went to her. He removed his cloak and laid it beside the farmer. Shepra crouched upon it and licked her master’s clawed hand. Toryn turned and left her alone to mourn.

Gundrul spoke with the riders as Elrik and Lorek returned from the barn. Lorek snarled. ‘If only we’d arrived earlier. Our friend Adreel did well to take out one. They are big men, and well-armed, and I would say well-trained.’ He looked east. ‘But they’ll rue the day they did this. If I ever see the likes of them…’

Toryn sighed. ‘I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of these foul folk before long. They’ll be in league with Nordryn and the Ruuk. But be wary. Even the Amayans break sweat to tackle them. They are highly skilled, but ruthless with it. I don’t know how they’d fare in open battle. They seem better suited to stealth and raids.’

Elrik grunted. ‘And attacking defenseless women and children.’

‘As I said. Ruthless. They have not a care for any but themselves and their masters.’

Gundrul approached. ‘The riders are from Cafra. They said the dog showed up in the early hours.’ He turned to Shepra sitting quietly with her family. His eyes glistened. ‘The lass must have run twenty leagues without rest. Now there’s a dog I’d have by my side any day.’ He looked towards the barn. His lip curled. ‘The Cafrans speak of a dozen or so similar acts. But they’re difficult to track, and harder to confront. I hope Elodi can aid these people. Can’t have them spreading fear, there’s enough of that already.’

Toryn turned back to the farmhouse. ‘Is that their objective? Do they spread fear? Or is there another reason for being in Emryst?’

Gundrul rubbed his chin. ‘The Cafrans are certainly anxious. But they only raid the farms. They’ve not gone near the mines, or the wealth of the cities.’

Toryn scanned the horizon as the dust kicked up by the fleeing Nordleng’s horses cleared. ‘No, they’re here for something else. They’re turning south. But for what?’

Gundrul whistled for his horse. ‘We must be going. We have our own mission to complete. The town folk will give these poor souls a decent burial. I’ll advise they also send a rider to Archonholm with the news as a precaution.’ He glanced up. ‘We can’t be sure if these Nordleng swine have hawks that will bring down our feathered friends.’ Gundrul spoke with the Cafrans as the rest of the company mounted.