'How many of them were there?' asked Waylander.

'We estimated eight thousand. Anyway, Karnak had sent scouts to watch for the Vagrians – he never trusted their promises of peace – so we had advance warning of their attack. Do you know Margate … ?' Waylander nodded. 'Then you know there is a small wood about a mile to the east.

Karnak had taken three hundred men there during the previous night. Now, as the Vagrians slept in their camp he descended on them in the darkest hours of the night, firing their tents and stampeding their horses. Our warriors made enough noise to be mistaken for a whole Drenai army, and we opened the gates and led an attack from the front. The Vagrians pulled back to re-form, but by dawn we were away to Skultik. We must have slain more than eight hundred of them.'

'Clever,' said Waylander, 'but hardly a victory.'

'What do you mean? We were outnumbered more than ten to one.'

'Exactly. When you first received news of the invasion, you could have pulled back. What point was there in fighting at all?'

'Have you no sense of honour? We gave them a bloody nose – we let them know the Drenai can fight as well as they run.'

'But still they took the fort.'

'I do not understand you, Dakeyras … or whatever your name is. If running means so much to you, why did you go to Masin and help Gellan and his men?'

'It was the only safe place. Or rather the safest I could find.'

'Well, you will be safe enough in Skultik. The Vagrians dare not invade.'

'I hope the Vagrians know that.'

'What does that mean?' snapped the young officer.

'Nothing at all. Tell me about Egel?'

'Why? So that you can mock his achievements?'

'You are young and full of fire, and you see mockery where none exists. It is not blasphemy to question a military decision. It could be, as you say, that Karnak's decision to give a bloody nose to the Vagrians was a good one; it would lift morale, for example. But it strikes me that it was a risky venture which could have whiplashed against him. What if the enemy had scouted the woods? He would have been forced to run, leaving you and three hundred men trapped.'

'But they did not.'

'Exactly – and now he is a hero. I have known many heroes. Mostly other men die to build their legends.'

'I would be proud to die for Karnak – he is a great man. And beware of insulting him, unless you wish to cross swords with any man within earshot.'

'I think your message is clear, Dundas. He is revered.'

'And rightly so. He does not send his men into danger without risking himself. He is always in the thick of the fighting.'

'Very wise,' observed Waylander.

'Even now he plans to ride to the aid of Purdol. Is that the act of a vainglorious man?'

'Purdol? It is surrounded.'

Dundas bit his lip and turned away momentarily, his face reddening. 'I would be obliged if you did not repeat that. I should not have said it.'

'I am not known for being loose-tongued,' said Waylander. 'It is forgotten.'

'Thank you, I am grateful. It is just that I was angry. He is a very great man.'

'I am sure that he is. And now that we trust each other, I am sure you will not object to my riding forward to speak with my companions?'

Dundas' face was a picture of confusion, but a resigned expression settled over his features. 'Of course not. I need to feel the wind in my face also. I will ride with you.'

The two men spurred their horses into a canter and Waylander rode to the centre of the column. Karnak swung in the saddle as he approached, followed by the young officer.

'Welcome to our group, Waylander,' said the general, grinning. 'You've just missed the tale of Margate.'

'No, I did not. Dundas spoke of it. But were there dragons in your account?'

'Not yet, but I'm working on it,' replied Karnak. 'Come ride beside me. I understand you and Gellan are old friends?'

'We knew one another once,' said Gellan, 'but not very well.'

'No matter,' said Karnak. 'Tell me, Waylander, why do the Brotherhood hunt you?'

'I killed Kaem's son.'

'Why?'

'His father owed me money.'

'God, you sicken me!' snapped Gellan. 'Excuse me, general, but I need to ride awhile and stretch my back.' Karnak nodded and Gellan pulled his horse from the group.

'You're a strange man,' said Karnak.

Waylander smiled coldly. 'So are you, general. What are you seeking?'

'Victory. What else is there?'

'Immortality?'

Karnak smiled. 'Do not misread me, Waylander – I am no man's fool. I am vain. I am conceited. My strength is that I know what I am. I am the finest general you will ever know, and the greatest warrior of the age. Yes, I want immortality. And I will not be remembered as a gallant loser. Count on it.'

Although they pushed on through most of the night, a sudden storm bogged down the wagons and Karnak called a halt. Tarpaulins were hastily erected against the sides of the wagons to create makeshift. The man was overweight and outlandishly garbed in clothes of green, blue and yellow. And yet he was still impressive.

'What are you thinking?' asked Karnak, drawing his cloak about his shoulders.

'I am wondering what on earth possesses you to dress like that,' said Waylander, grinning. 'Blue shirt, green cloak, yellow leggings! It seems that you dressed in stages while drunk.'

'I am not shaped for fashionable garments,' admitted Karnak. 'I dress for comfort. Now tell me about this Armour of Egel's.'

'An old man asked me to fetch it for him and I said that I would. There is no mystery to it.'

'How splendidly you understate your mission. The old man was Orien, while the Armour is legend and hidden in the lands of the Nadir.'

'Dardalion told you. Well then, there is no need for you to question me further. You know all there is to know.'

'I do not know why you chose to go. What does it profit you?'

'That is my business.'

'Indeed. But the Armour means a great deal to the Drenai and that is my concern.'

'You have come a long way in a short time, general. It is hardly the concern of a First Dun at a rundown fort.'

'Understand me, Waylander. I am a genial man with a heart of gold … when people humour me. Now, I like you and I am trying to forget that a man dressed in black and carrying a small crossbow killed King Niallad. Such a man would receive swift sentencing.'

'Why do you need to know?'

Karnak leaned back, his pale eyes locking to Way-lander's gaze. 'I could use the Armour, it would help me.'

'It would not fit you, general.'

'It can be altered.'

'But it is promised to Egel.'

'He does not even know of it.'

'You are a man full of surprises, Karnak. Here you sit on the edge of defeat and already you plan your brilliant future. What is it to be? King Karnak? That has a ring to it. Earl Karnak, perhaps?'

'I am not looking that far ahead, Waylander. I trust my judgements. Egel is a fine warrior and a good general. Cautious, yes, but there is steel in the man. Given certain advantages, he could swing this war.'

'The Armour would be just such an advantage,' commented Waylander.

'Indeed it would. But it could be put to better use elsewhere.'

'Where?'

'Purdol,' said Karnak, leaning forward and watching Waylander intently.

'The fortress is already surrounded.'

'There is a way in.'

'What do you have in mind?' ,

'I will send twenty of my best men with you to fetch the Armour. You will bring it to Purdol – to me.'

'And you will stand on the battlements in Orien's Armour of Bronze and carve yourself a role in the history of the Drenai people.'

'Yes. What do you say?'

'I say forget it. Orien asked a favour of me and I said that I would attempt it. I may not be a great man, Karnak, but when I speak you can rely on my word. If it is humanly possible to retrieve the Armour, I will do so … and deliver it to Egel in Skultik, or wherever he may be. Does that answer the question?'