Both men looked towards the Duke, who raised his hand. ‘Begin!’ he bellowed and immediately their swords clashed together, sweeping and blocking, cutting and parrying. Errin had never handled such a blade as Cairbre had given him; it seemed almost to have a mind of its own, saving him three times from deadly slashes.
The screams of the crowd grew louder as the battle continued, but Errin heard nothing above the harsh sounds of his own breathing inside the cushioned helm. Cairbre stumbled, his sword dropping down to expose his left side, and instantly Errin’s borrowed blade hammered home into the red armour, smashing several plates from it. He heard Cairbre grunt in pain, and the Red Knight backed away. Storming after him, Errin lost his footing and at once Cairbre crashed a blow to his helm, tearing it from his head. Errin staggered back, blocking cut after cut. Cairbre’s speed was dazzling and he felt panic welling within him. He saw Cairbre’s sword flash for his head and his own blade leapt to block, but at the last second Cairbre rolled his wrists and sent the blade crashing into Errin’s side. He felt his ribs crack, though his armour held. A second blow to the calf broke the bone and Errin fell to his knees, his neck exposed.
He glanced up at the upraised sword…
‘No!’ screamed Dianu. ‘Stop it! I am guilty! Guilty!’
The blade swept down, halting just as it touched Errin’s neck. He did not feel it; his vision swam and he fainted.
He awoke in the fading light of dusk, in his own room. Boran^was beside him, bathing a wound in his temple. Errin struggled to rise, but Boran pushed him back. ‘Be still, my Lord. You have broken ribs, and they may pierce your lung if you struggle.’
‘Why am I alive?’
‘The Lady Dianu shouted her guilt and that ended the battle. She saved you, my Lord. Now there is someone to see you.’
‘I wish to see no one.’
‘I think you will wish to see this man; he is in great danger.’
‘Who?’
Boran moved aside and there, sitting beside the bed, was Ubadai.
‘You fought pretty good,’ said the Nomad. ‘He was pretty much better.’
‘You must help me,’ Errin whispered. ‘We must save Dianu. We must!’
‘First we save you. Your new man here — good man — he hear they come for you tomorrow. You, me, we go, yes? We run. Get to Cithaeron.’
‘Not without Dianu. Now help me up.’
‘Gently,’ ordered Boran, lifting Errin to a sitting position. A sharp pain lanced his side.
‘We help the lady,’ said Ubadai, ‘but first we get you out of castle. There are horses — you can ride?’
‘I can ride,’ said Errin. ‘Get me some clothes, Boran.’
‘It is already done, my Lord. The dark brown leather with the sheepskin cape. I have also packed food, and some coin. You only had three hundred Raq, but it should pay for the passage to Cithaeron.’
Errin looked down at the tightly-bound splint on his left leg. ‘Will it support me?’ he asked.
Boran shrugged. ‘I hope so, my Lord.’
‘Help me into my clothes,’ said Errin. As Boran moved to obey him there came the sound of marching feet from the courtyard below and Ubadai ran to the window and looked down.
‘A squad of men,’ he whispered, ‘coming this way.’
Errin groaned as Boran gently lifted his arms into the leather shirt. His ribs were bandaged tightly, but the pain was intense.
‘Better be quick,’ he urged Ubadai as a hammering came from below.
‘Open up, in the name of the Duke!’
‘Use the side stair-well, my Lord,’ said Boran. ‘I will detain them for as long as I can.’ Errin called Ubadai to him, then levered himself upright by gripping the Nomad’s shoulder. He felt the bones of the broken leg grind together and almost screamed. Ubadai half carried him to the small door leading to the servant’s stair-well, where Errin stared down into the dark depths. There was no hand-rail.
‘I can’t climb down there,’ he said.
‘Much trouble, you,’ said Ubadai. Turning, he threw an arm around the back of Errin’s thighs and lifted him over his shoulder. Errin’s broken ribs grated and he groaned. ‘No noise!’ Ubadai hissed, slowly descending the stairs.
At the main door, Boran lifted the bolt and bowed to the officer.
‘What can I do for you, sir?’
‘Where is Lord Errin?’
‘He is upstairs sleeping. He was wounded badly today; he has a broken leg.’
‘Our orders are to take him into the custody of the Lord Seer.’
‘I take it you have a stretcher,’ said Boran.
‘No. I… no one mentioned a broken leg.’
‘It was diagnosed by the Duke’s surgeon. The Duke himself was here earlier to enquire after his friend. Who did you say ordered his arrest?’
‘The Lord Seer, Okessa.’
‘Ah, well, it must be correct then. I am sure the Duke must have authorized it. You have his seal?’
‘Seal? Look, you, the Duke’s seal is only used for arrests made away from Mactha, in order to prove the identity of the Duke’s officers. Why in the devil’s name would I need a seal?’
‘I am not arguing, captain. I know little of such matters, having never arrested a cousin of the King. Please go about your business.’
‘Cousin of the King? Lord Errin?’
‘So I understand. Well, go upstairs and drag him down. I’ve not been in his employ for long, so I have had no time to grow fond of him.’
‘I’m not "dragging" anyone anywhere. I was told to arrest the Lord Errin. Haven’t you got something we could use for a stretcher?’
‘Well… you could take his bed, I suppose. It would take more than six of you, though. Are there any more men back at the barracks?’
The officer spun on his heel. ‘Medric, Joal, go back and get a stretcher. And see if the Duke’s orderly is about; I wouldn’t mind an official seal on this one.’
‘Very wise, captain. Perhaps you and I should go upstairs and carry Lord Errin down, ready for the stretcher?’ suggested Boran.
‘Do I look like a labourer?’ snapped the captain. ‘I’ll wait here.’
‘Then allow me to fetch you some wine, sir. The very best western wine, aged in the cask for twenty years.’
‘That’s very decent of you,’ the captain thanked him.
‘Not at all, sir.’
At the rear of the apartments Ubadai opened the door to the yard and stepped outside. The alley was deserted save for the two horses tethered at the gate.
He eased Errin down, then lifted him to the saddle and led the horses towards the eastern gate. This was mainly used for traders, and Ubadai guessed that news of Errin’s arrest would not yet have been circulated to the gate sentries.
He was right, and the two men rode unhindered from Mactha fortress and down through the town.
‘It seems deserted,’ said Errin. Ubadai grunted and pointed to the nearby hills.
‘What is happening?’ asked Errin, his mouth suddenly dry.
‘Tonight they burn the Lady.’
‘Sweet Heaven! I must get there.’ Errin lashed the reins across his stallion’s neck and forced him into a mad gallop across the fields. Ubadai raced after him, leaning over to grab the reins.
‘Stop!’ said the Nomad. ‘One stupid deed a day is enough.’
‘Leave me alone!’ shouted Errin, hitting out weakly, his hand cracking against Ubadai’s face.
‘Think!’ ordered Ubadai. ‘One man, all broke up. Useless. He is going to ride through the Duke’s soldiers and rescue the Lady. You could not even get off horse.’
‘There must be something I can do.’
‘Yes,’ said Ubadai. ‘Something. Only thing.’ He lifted Errin’s bow from his saddle horn.