‘Where is Manannan?’ asked Nuada suddenly. ‘I have not seen him this morning.’
‘He left last night. And that reminds me: Chrysdyn has lost one stallion and he will search for him most of today. Tell him you will pay for the lost horse, and that it is safe.’
‘Manannan has it?’
‘Yes. I brought it to him.’
‘I take it Manannan will be in danger?’
‘We are all in danger, Nuada. But yes, Manannan is riding into the demon’s lair. Think of him as you journey.’
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
After five days of wandering in the forest, Errin was footsore and weary. Twice they had been forced to hide from outriding scouts of the King’s Lancers, and three days before they had arrived at a ruined village of rotting corpses. Errin could not forget the scenes of destruction; they had filled him with horror and left him nauseous.
Ubadai had wandered over the scene, examining the tracks. ‘They rode in from the north and south. At sunrise. Breakfast fires just lit. Villagers had nowhere to run. Maybe a dozen escaped east, but horses rode after them — they would have been caught.’
‘Such slaughter is senseless,’ said Errin. ‘What does it achieve?’
Ubadai shrugged. ‘Terror. Good weapon. Make men fear you.’
‘You condone this sort of butchery?’ asked Sheera. ‘What kind of a man are you?’
‘What does that mean?’ Ubadai demanded. ‘Condone?’
‘It means,’ explained Errin, ‘that you agree with this action.’
‘I do not agree. I answer question. What it achieves? In my grandfather’s day the Khan would ride to war and sack the cities of his enemies. He would go to the first city and give them warning: surrender and they lose only treasure; fight and all would die. They always fought first time. But then the Khan would take all the prisoners out of city and kill every man, woman, child — bar one. This one was sent to next city. They surrender mighty fast.’
‘It is still evil,’ said Sheera.
Ubadai spread his hands. ‘This is the way the world knows. Many people now run from forest. Save families. This makes for small rebel army, you understand? And small army less a problem than big army. We should be in Cithaeron.’
On the afternoon of the fifth day Errin sat down beside the path and checked the soles of his riding boots. One had worn through, the other had split at the seam.
‘Look at them,’ he said to Sheera. ‘You know how much these cost?’
She chuckled. ‘Poor Errin! The forest life does not suit you.’
‘Be silent!’ hissed Ubadai, drawing his short sword from its scabbard.
‘What’s happening?’ Errin asked. Three men leapt from the undergrowth and Errin dived aside, rolling to the earth. As he rose and reached for his belt, two more attackers jumped to his back, bearing him to the ground. He twisted his head to see Ubadai at bay, his sword ready.
‘Don’t fight!’ shouted Errin. ‘Put up your sword!’ Ubadai muttered something inaudible and spat, but he sheathed the blade and allowed the newcomers to pin his arms. Errin was hauled to his feet as a young woman stepped from the bushes. She was tall, with honey-blonde hair, and dressed in tunic and trews of buckskin.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asked.
‘Looking for Llaw Gyffes,’ said Errin. She smiled.
‘For what reason?’
‘That is no concern of yours,’ he answered. She drew a wickedly sharp hunting knife and placed it against his throat. ‘On the other hand,’ he continued, ‘why make a mystery of it? We are here to join the rebels.’
‘I think you are spies,’ she said. ‘You are no forester, you are a King’s man.’ Errin managed a smile. The man on his right had firm hold of his bicep, but his forearm was free and carefully he slid his hand to his belt buckle.
‘Ollathair,’ he said.
‘What was that?’ asked the woman, but her voice had slowed and deepened. Errin surged free of the men holding him and brushed aside the knife. The man to his left aimed a clumsy blow at his head, but Errin ducked and crashed a fast right-hand punch to his assailant’s jaw. The man dropped slowly to the grass. Errin leapt and cannoned his foot into the face of the second attacker, who spun and toppled to the ground with graceful lack of speed. The woman was moving in, her knife sweeping up towards Errin’s belly, but he grabbed her wrist, twisted and caught the blade as she dropped it. Raising it to rest against her long neck, he touched the belt buckle.
‘As I said,’ he told her, ‘I am here to join Llaw Gyffes. Will you take me to him?’
‘You are very fast,’ she said, lifting her hand and gently pushing the knife from her neck.
‘Yes,’ he admitted. ‘But I am no spy. My name is Errin.’
‘May I have my knife back… Errin?’
‘Of course,’ he said, reversing the blade and handing it to her. She moved to the fallen men and knelt by them. One was stirring. Errin wandered to where Ubadai and Sheera were still being held. ‘Would you be so kind as to release my comrades?’ he requested. Ubadai shook himself free and stalked away, muttering curses beneath his breath. Sheera approached Errin and took his arm.
‘You are a constant surprise to me,’ she whispered. ‘I am so relieved she didn’t hit you. That would have been embarrassing.’
He grinned. ‘I enjoy surprising you.’
‘I’ll kill the bastard!’ Errin spun as one of his earlier attackers stormed to his feet, dragging a knife from his belt.
‘No!’ shouted the woman. ‘We’ll take them to Llaw.’ The man hesitated, but he was unconvinced. Errin swallowed hard and rested his hand on his belt.
The man walked forward. He was tall and black-bearded and his eyes were angry. ‘I won’t forget this,’ he hissed. ‘You and I will settle it — you understand me?’
‘I believe that I do,’ said Errin. The man nodded, rammed his knife into his belt and pushed past them.
The woman approached. ‘My name is Arian; I am a friend of Llaw’s. If you follow I will take you to him.’
As she walked away ahead of him, Errin’s eyes were drawn to her swaying hips. ‘I think I’d follow her anywhere,’ he said. But Sheera did not smile. Errin looked closely at his companion, but said nothing.
They crested a hill and found themselves looking down on a bustling community. Homes were still being erected, and elsewhere archers were loosing shafts at crudely made targets. On the hillside some wild cattle had been gathered, alongside some bighorn sheep. Errin halted as light flashed from something bright and metallic on the hillside opposite. Four figures in silver armour seemed to be fighting each other; but watching for a few moments, he realized they were merely practising their skills.
‘Who are they?’ he asked Arian.
‘I have no idea. Let’s find Llaw.’
It seemed to Errin that the young woman was more than surprised to be directed to the hillside, and to find the legendary Llaw Gyifes arrayed in silver armour.
‘What the Hell…?’ she began, but Llaw gestured her to silence and approached Errin.
‘I think we’ve been expecting you,’ he said, holding out his hand.
Errin shook it. ‘You have?’
‘Our Armourer told us two would arrive today. I suggest you go up to the cave and speak to him.’
‘Now?’ asked Errin.
‘Unless you have other, more pressing, plans?’
‘No, not at all. We will speak later.’ Errin, Ubadai and Sheera began the long walk to the cave, while Arian remained behind with Llaw.
As the trio approached the cave mouth, a youth strolled out to meet them. Errin stopped in his tracks, his heart sinking.
‘What’s the matter?’ Sheera asked.
‘This is the boy I shot.’
Lamfhada moved to meet them. ‘Welcome, Lord Errin, welcome to the Forest of the Ocean.’