The new prisoner lay stiffly on the straw, moving every so often to find a better position. When the evening meal arrived he sat in the gloom looking at his bowl, eating the coarse grain clumsily with his fingers, trying to avoid making any noise drinking the icy water. Luke’s fellow occupants of the hut ignored the new arrival. Chelan and Alim. Luke was friendly with one but the other was a stooge and Luke treated him with no more than basic courtesy.

"Just put your things by the door. The guard will come by and take them." Luke too feigned disinterest in the newcomer, not wanting to be thought overcurious. The man shuffled painfully to the door and deposited the crude utensils. He lay facing away from Luke. "Have it your way," muttered Luke to himself.

In the morning they were taken to the work-gang, shaping large blocks of stone. It was a cold winter's day and everyone wanted a job with the breakers, cracking the huge boulders with fierce fires. Luke took his place next to a large irregular slab as it started to cool down.

It was a good piece, about half his height, grey with veins tracing through but no faults or holes. Luke took a stone wedge to the surface and split off the flakes that had been loosened. He swept them into a pile with a besom.

He spent the morning chipping away first the broad side of the slab to give a flattish surface then turning it onto its front with levers to start on the other. By lunchtime he had something that was ready for squaring off the sides before smoothing and polishing. Chelan came to have a word with him.

"Our new companion, has he spoken yet?"

"No, he's only been in one night. He probably thinks he's due for more interrogation."

"Not surprising really. They've had him long enough. I thought they might have tried to do away with him on the sly. He certainly has enough secrets in his head."

"So who is he?"

"Commander Hunt. His proper name is Rashid. He doesn't have a modern name, like many of us he's very traditional. I don't believe anyone else here realises who it is. I recognised him from when I was in military service."

"In that case he's in here is because they think he still has some information for them. Or because they think perhaps he can get some information from me. Doesn't really matter either way. Once he's on a gang they'll probably treat him all right, as long as he works hard. Is he loyal to Rah?"

"As far as I know, yes. But if they’re picking on commanders this could prove a turning point."

"Perhaps. Once Rah gets to know about it he's bound to start rooting out the factions then he'll find out all about the real state of affairs in the country."

"He must know already. Don't forget the arrest took place nearly two months ago. They could hardly hide the fact that his head of cavalry is missing.

"It depends what he's been told.” Luke blew on his fingers, looking warily into the distance. None of the paltry team of guards were near. "They only need to find some charge of treason to pin on him. After all, that's why most of us are here."

"Rah would never believe such a man disloyal. He's built up the Horse Troops from nothing."

"Which would give him every opportunity to try and seize power. Who knows."

The sound of a mouthy whistle penetrated the damp. Luke returned to his work, chipping the irregular borders of the stone into straight lines, then laboriously grinding the faces using an anvil of harder stone made by a fellow prisoner a long time ago. Taking his time so the work would last all afternoon. He spoke to no one as they walked back to the compound, and was once again sequestered into the familiar hut. The new man was already there but the other two had not yet returned.

"Show me your arms."

The curt command was the first Luke's cellmate had spoken. He obeyed, revealing his tattoos.

"You are Luke of Cano?"

"Yes." Luke had heard the question so many times it had almost a ritual air.

"What is the name of your brother's horse?"

It was a long time since anything had taken him by surprise. "Lianna," he replied.

"Good. Now I can be sure who you are. You know me?"

"Yes. You are a commander in the king’s army. I am loyal to Rah. We all are. How did you know about my brother?"

"You know about horses. You have supporters too. When I felt my position might be insecure I thought it a good idea to try and search you out should I be arrested. I've been fighting the factions in the government. I knew you must be loyal, despite what they told Rah. You’ll be a good man to help me fight back. You appreciate more than anyone that horses are the key. How many people know my identity?"

"Only Chelan. I'll point him out to you. He knew you already. And the guards presumably. Though I wouldn't count on it. They're pretty dull. So what news do you have of Sarah?"

"It took me a time to find her. Stonebridge Farm has been taken over and renamed River House. Mark moved to Athelea with his wife and baby son and your cousin Rob is working as a leathermaker in Kingston City. Sarah lives in a women's compound, working as a weaver with others who have no husbands. That's all I know. There have been so many upheavals it's hard to know what's what these days."

They heard Alim moving in from outside and fell silent. When the guards brought food Luke really hated the tasteless meal, despite his hunger. Suddenly he was interested in the outside world again.

Over the next few days Commander Hunt filled in the gaps in Luke's understanding of the politics of Elenea, as well as confirming a number of improbable rumours he had heard from fellow prisoners. It seemed the last six months had seen the development of a number of political groupings, who had taken advantage of moves by some of Rah's advisers to shield him from the realities of his country. Luke, having never dealt with politicians before, was amazed at the complexity of government.

"So how many people does it take to do all these government jobs?"

"Well, the horse troops are very new so it's only a small group, twenty-three in all, of course there are many others who use horses just for transport. Other branches of government are much larger. Travel tallies are issued by over a hundred offices, for instance, those staff are not soldiers and have other jobs as well. Most of the regional offices have between one and three staff, and in Kingston City there are probably about a thousand who work directly for the government. That includes our guards."

"Is this the only prison?"

"There is talk of another one to be built on the southern side of the city. Two years ago there was only one small prison hut in Elenea. This camp is new and has been extended and each time more people are arrested and thrown in. The only response is to keep building but soon there won't be enough people even to organise the work."

"Who are all these people who are being arrested, then?"

"Some foreigners like yourself, accused of spying. Some members of the government, accused of treachery by one or other faction. Some it's hard to see why they're here at all, just ordinary government staff, builders or other workers. Maybe someone had a grudge against them or something. I don't know."

"It doesn't look as if there's much hope for those of us in here," said Luke. "If numbers are increasing they won't be letting anyone out."

"Let's live in hope. One day Rah will realise how he's being deceived and throw all his high advisers into jail. Then he'll release his own supporters. Make sure you're prepared when the day arrives. I'm sure you have a fine head for politics. Use your time here to learn all you can. There are a lot of educated people in here. I can arrange a bribe to the guards to give you practically free access to the other prisoners. Apart from that we just wait."

“Do you know what happens here?” asked Luke.

“Not at all.”

“Well, I spent several months on a work gang clearing one of the wide paths of the Old Ones. That is forbidden work, we all know perfectly well, it’s like going into the apos. In Athelea we wouldn’t even have dared think up the idea. It was horrible, each pace of progress we had to clear the snakes out and remove trees and bushes and grass and the surface is hard and uneven, you can easily twist an ankle. Then level it and move on the next step. The route leads into the northland, where only soldiers are allowed to go. Another job was to recover stone from the houses of the apo on the south of the bay. It is quite clean compared to most of them but the structures are dangerous and most of them are built on two or more storeys. You have to go to the top and remove what is left of the roof then gradually dismantle the walls. We also had to collect the flappy material that is not quite stone and pile it up. And now I am shaping the stones which fall loose from this cliffside. All this labour, you see, is obtained at little cost as there are no obligations to return for each day’s work.”

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“So that’s the game. Rah’s drive to modernise the world and at the same time the need for free workers leads the factions of the court to imprison those who they claim create a threat. And that’s why they want to build the second camp near the apo. There must be plenty left to dismantle. Barah must be in this somewhere.”

“I have heard of Barah. Not much.”

“He is Rah’s uncle. Some say the true source of power in Elenea.”

*

The waiting came to an abrupt end a couple of months later, as the dull damp winter was transforming into a warm spring. Luke was taken from the prison compound as the others prepared for work and marched by a couple of soldiers to the building where he had been interrogated. The soldiers sat him on a block opposite a short man with piercing eyes then retreated to the door.

"You are Luke of Cano?"

"Yes." Luke braced himself for an unpleasant line of questioning.

"Are you loyal to Rah?"

"Of course," replied Luke fiercely.

"The western province of Elenea has been destroyed." Luke appreciated that he must be referring to Athelea and the borderlands. Not waiting for a reply the man continued. "Bandits have overrun all the lands and the forest areas. We have strengthened our borders and our own security is holding, but we intend to fight the marauders and create a lawful government over the whole world. Will you swear an oath of allegiance?"

"Yes," said Luke numbly, thinking of his parents, the proud claims of the Lodge and its hostility to Elenea since the Mountain Wars, his brother and friends. The party at Northcliff seemed a long time ago. What had happened to all those people, the girls who had ridden along the beach on Tecana? When he thought of the horse he remembered Hartor. He must be one of the bandits responsible. And the knowledge that there was a burial site near Cano where his friend’s parents would grieve every day. His feverish mind started forming plans, then he realised he was being addressed. He repeated the words of the vow.

"I, Luke of Cano, do humbly and solemnly declare, on pain of death, that I will serve in the forces of Rah, to the best of my ability, and that I will loyally join him in his quest to liberate the western part of Elenea from invaders and impose a just and humane government over the whole world." Even as he was saying the words he wondered how far he would be able to keep them.

After the painful business of being marked on his arm with the sun tattoo of Elenea to go prominently above the deer of The Lodge and his own personal name emblems Luke was assigned to a training company, where he learnt how to give and take orders in the military style. On the third day after his arrival he was surprised to be approached by a young man in uniform riding on horseback. Still lanky and young but with a degree of adult growth in his face and a thin beard. Luke recognised him at once.

"Luke. We managed to get you out at last."

"Peter! Where did you come from? How did you? I ..." Peter dismounted and grabbed Luke by the shoulders.

"We knew where you were, but it's been a devil of a job to get through to anyone. Commander Tivoli is the man you should thank."

"Is he your commanding officer?"

"No. He's head of the Castle Guard. He's looked after me all the time I've been here. He saved me from prison and found me a job in the Troops. He's well-connected and has a lot of influence."

"So why did he pick on you? And what’s with Commander Hunt, in and out of prison?"

Peter looked away, unable to meet Luke's eyes. “Can’t say.”

"Oh, I'm confused. Well these are strange times, aren't they? I guess we all have to adjust. I'm obviously deeply indebted to you."

"No, no. It's all right. He protected my father, too. He's still at Cedar. Don't worry about it. Now we've got you out we’ll see if can be in the Troops together. Hunt’ll be back soon too. I’m sure. I'll come and see you in a week." He remounted and rode off without looking back.

Luke soon found himself in charge of a squad of ten men. A steady stream of people were being released from prison and he managed, through cunning and the skill of bribery, to select some of the most loyal and form them into a loose-knit federation which he daringly called the Sun Ring. He was annoyed at first not to be allowed into the city but soon became absorbed in his work. Hearing that as Peter predicted, Commander Hunt been allowed to take back his former post in the place of his incompetent successors, he prepared himself to be summoned by the Horse Troops.

*

"We have a difficult and dangerous task for you," said Commander Hunt. Luke stood in front of his commander at attention, wondering at the next twist fate held in store. "You’ve only been with us a month but events are pressing hard and we need action in the borderlands. I need a team to survey the area and discover the extent of bandit activity. I need men who are loyal and will not defect. You are the most appropriate because you know hill country and forest and know how to live off the land. You will have to teach these skills to the others. We can give you twenty days to select and train the team, then you will be expected to take them into service. Any questions?"

"How many will there be in the team?"

"Six including yourself. They will all be skilled horsemen. You will have the pick of our horses."

"What weapons can we take?"

"You will be given all you require in terms of weapons and equipment. But your greatest asset will be your own cunning. Food will be limited. It may be a long tour and you will be expected to feed yourselves without imposing on the locals. We don’t want to be thought of as bandits ourselves. You may visit the armoury whenever you wish, to select your equipment."

"Commander, when I was arrested I had a metal ring. It was given to me by a bandit chief I met when I was kidnapped a long time ago. It is possible he may be willing to form an alliance. Shall I try this?"

"Do all you think fit. We have not been able to explore the borderlands properly since the trouble began. You really have a blank tally to try anything that might work. But you must tell your plans to the border guards who will debrief you each time you cross back. I shall make it my business to locate and retrieve your ring."

After discussing with the commander, Luke selected Peter to be part of his team, along with two members of his network, Kai and Leo. Kai had been in prison with Luke and Leo had passed through the training school where Luke served after leaving prison. Both had seen service in the Horse Troops. To make the numbers up to six he added Hamet and Sen, tough men whose families had come from just inside the borders, who would be expected to do manual work and fight on foot when necessary. All the party were originally from farming backgrounds, giving them familiarity with terrain and climate. Apart from Peter none of them were battle fit, so they spent the days on an intensive training schedule, as well as practising landcraft and horsemanship.

Luke made a visit to the armoury, which contained materials way beyond his expectations.

"These weapons have not been issued for a while," said the armourer. "The metal tips are too valuable to be allowed to fall into the hands of bandits." It was clear he had no wish to let go of them.

"We'll take a spear and two arrow-heads each. And these daggers look useful, too. We'll need the metal weapons eventually, so we may as well use this expedition to help us get to know them."

“That is a lot of weapons. You'll need a requisition. And not to be taken to the borderlands.”

“Rah’s orders.” Luke gave him a clay disk with the sun emblem baked into the surface.

The armourer turned the object over examining it carefully. Eventually he gave up. "As long as you have his permission, sir, I shall make them ready for you. You need some tools to go with them." He produced a number of stones and some clay moulds.

"These are for sharpening the blades. Each time metal is used it easily becomes blunted. So resharpen it by pounding. Don't whittle it like a wooden arrow because metal will flake off and be lost. After five sharpenings the metal will spread and thin. Then place it in the mould and leave it in the heart of the fire overnight. If you line the mould with charcoal the new head will fall out easily when you clear the fire in the morning. While it is still warm pound the edge just enough to make it sharp. The knives are good for cutting meat and skin - don't use them on bone as they'll blunt very quickly. Now, what else will you need?"

Luke came away with a full set of clothes for six men, three tents, various types of flint and stone tools as well as the metal weapons, fire-making equipment and packs which could be strapped to the horses. Riding down from the military area to an uncultivated field almost at the edge of the town he met the others and they loaded the animals, using stones from the field instead of food and water. When satisfied they practised racing up and down the empty terrain.

"Come round here," called Luke. "We're going to advance a stage now. I know you're all pretty tired but we haven’t yet tried fighting on horseback. Kai and Peter, I want you to fight barehand. The winner is the one who unseats his opponent. Go."

The two soldiers wheeled their mounts, having some difficulty persuading them to approach each other. When the horses were side by side Kai leaned over making a lunge at Peter who moved away causing him to fall off.

"Lesson One," said Luke without even a hint of humour, remembering his teachers at The Lodge. "Don't reach out to your enemy. And Lesson Two as well. If he tries to grab you, just move away a little. Then he will overreach. Try again."

This time the horses came in close together and the riders grabbed hold of each other. Peter leaned over and kicked his horse to make her skip away, dragging Kai off and depositing him onto the ground once again.

"Much better," said Luke. "Now have a go against Leo.

Leo adopted a new tactic. With his horse facing the opposite direction to Peter's he approached at a trot and reached one hand out to grab his opponent. Missing, he wheeled round and tried from the other side. Peter turned his horse acutely towards the other, grabbed Leo's hand as he passed, and galloped away. Leo managed to free his hand but was unbalanced. Fighting furiously to keep control he toppled gracelessly onto the muddy ground.

Luke brought his horse up to face Peter. The two horses confronted each other, held steady so that their noses were only inches apart. Luke made to go first left, then right, then Peter's horse moved so Luke took the right hand side. Steering his horse close in the riders' legs banged as they passed. Riding on he heard Peter wheel and approach as he started to turn. Aborting the turn he let the horse come alongside then ducked, Peter's hand passing above his head, and grabbed Peter's foot. Failing to secure a contact they moved apart again.

Next time round Luke managed to approach Peter from behind, grabbing his arm. As before Peter leaned over and tried to move his horse away, but this time Luke moved in the same direction, pushing Peter instead of trying to pull him off the horse. At the last moment he yanked his hand free and Peter's horse stumbled, leaving him fighting to stay on. Eventually he freed himself and could do no better than slide gracefully onto his feet.

"Right," said Luke. "That's it for today. Tomorrow we'll practise what we've learnt. Six days to go then we leave."