‘Did you really beat their Warchief?’

‘Yes.’

‘In a duel?’

‘Yes.’

‘What were you thinking?’

‘I was young and naïve. But I’ll tell you, that duel was something. I’ve never felt more alive than when that towering northerner started swinging his war hammer at me.’

‘War hammer?’

‘Yes.’

‘Could that be…?’

‘No. Well, I don’t think so. I don’t quite remember. The size is about the same, but I guess that goes for most war hammers, huh?’

‘But… that man was the Warchief of these people. Aren’t you afraid…?’

‘Why should I be? Most of these people were children, younger than their little Harak now. And even if that handful of elder remembers, they had seen a young, ambitious, over-confident boy. I like to think I’ve changed over that past twenty or so years. Besides, they don’t know who I am. Thanks to you.’

‘I wouldn’t bet on it. Mjelgralah must have found it out.’

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‘Yes, that is likely. And… hm. Well. I’ve told it to Idamin.’

‘Might not have been the wisest decision you made during your rule.’

‘We do have a lot in common, don’t we? You saw fit to share your past life with the chief.’

‘Glimpses of it.’

‘This wasn’t a rebuke, Vardille. I’m happy you start trusting people again.’

‘Mhm. You told me you’d explain the message to me.’

‘No. I told you I’ll let you understand it. And I have already.’

‘But you haven’t.’

‘Yes, I have. We’ve got what we needed. Grospan seems within reach now. We can deal with Amrith.’

‘I don’t understand. What were those words? “The Queen shall kill.” Rather ominous. Whom? Who’s this queen? What’s this about, Sire?’

‘I don’t wish to burden you with the weight of this knowledge, my loyal bodyguard. Let me do my part and all will make sense. With time.’

‘What part are you talking about now?’

‘Oh, it doesn’t matter. It never did.’

‘You make me nervous at times.’

‘A gift from the Gods, no doubt, to make Captain Reylynn nervous.’

‘A bane, rather. Why did you talk about your own death to Mjelgralah?’

‘Seemed right at that moment.’

‘You don’t want to do anything stupid, do you? Remember, if I believe your life is in jeopardy—’

‘Yes, yes, you can do as you feel. I know. Easy, captain. We’ll figure out something.’

‘We will. I wish we had more time. Ithlien is still a three or four-day long trek from here. We could be safe there for a while.’

‘Yes. We could.’ If we reached Ithlien.