'That there is,' said Kerin to the general company as he rose from his seat. 'With your leave, my Lord.'

Isak waved in assent as the grey-haired man lifted his legs over the bench and went back to work. Isak finished his last mouthful of bread and stood to leave. 'Vesna, I doubt this will take long. Round up some men, recruits, whoever, with practice weapons and armour. Kerin will have to be there for single combat practice, but I'm desperate to stretch my limbs. I'll meet you by the training posts – Tila, can you show him around?' He smiled at her.

Tila didn't look overly pleased at his request, but she and the count were going to have to get on, no matter what she thought of him. Isak suddenly realised then that whatever feelings he had held for Tila had changed. There was still a close affection, and appreciation, for she was beautiful, but now she was a friend, no more. Whether she felt

the same remained to be seen, but to Isak, his maid had become the sister he'd never had.

The realisation had been sparked by his lack of jealousy at Vesna's interest in Tila, despite her obvious scorn for the famous – infamous

count. Things had changed since the battle, and now he just wanted to

see Tila happy. There could be no match with him, but Vesna, on the other hand…

Carel watched the Krann go to the door with a smile on his face. He wondered whether Isak had noticed that he walked with one finger resting on Eolis always. He hoped the youth would take that armour off soon; he didn't seem quite human with it on. Still, if he was going to do weapons training he'd have to – Kerin had taken great delight in showing off the suit of armour he'd had specially made for Isak.

The Swordmaster had described it as the opposite of Siulents, a thick steel frame with each piece coated in lead to add to the already significant weight. The Krann's practice blade was to be a steel tube filled with lead. The idea was that the weight would slow the boy down so he would have to pay more attention to his technique. Kerin was still unimpressed at being bested on Isak's first day; he was looking forward to a little friendly revenge.

As Carel chuckled to himself at the image of Isak in a lead suit, Tila broke her silence. 'Count Vesna, how is it that you call your master Isak, and yet he still uses your surname?'

Vesna dropped his gaze in embarrassment, his veneer of charm suddenly stripped away. 'I, ah… well, to be honest, Lord Isak has yet to think of it. He has only one name, and it is good enough for him, so he thinks it is good enough for everyone.'

‘But you do have a name?' A nasty grin crept over Tila's normally gentle features; she was sensing a weakness in the famous Count Vesna's glamour.

‘I do, but I do not use it-'

‘You will tell me,' Tila insisted to the squirming warrior.

‘I_’

‘Otherwise I shall feel honour-bound to put the idea in Isak's head, perhaps during the banquet tonight-'

‘No! No need for that, Lady Tila. I will be glad to tell you.' He paused and took a deep breath. 'My name is Evanelial, Evanelial

Vesna.’ He watched Tila glumly as she burst into sudden laughter.

‘You mean as in the story?' Tila began to laugh again, her usual calm deserting her as she tried to smother her giggles in her voluminous sleeve.

'The very same. The story was written for my grandmother, but according to my parents, it used to be a man's name.'

'Oh yes, very masculine – oh dear, look at me,' exclaimed Tila, suddenly aware that the eyes of the entire room were on her. 'I'm sorry, I shouldn't laugh, but with your reputation? Every boy in the tribe wants to grow up to be you, to be the consummate brave knight, the dashing rogue…"

'I know. And that's precisely why I don't tell people my first name – though most of them wouldn't admit to recognising it.'

The count's pleading tone got through and Tila began to feel quite sorry for him. She had two brothers and knew how cruel boys could be to their friends. The martial life was not a forgiving one, and even less so for those who shone brightest.

'You're right, I apologise. I shall not say a word. Please forgive me for laughing.' There was a smile on her face still, and Vesna nodded eagerly.

'Forgiven, Lady Tila, if you in turn will forgive me my reputation.'

The smile faded from Tila's face, but she could see nothing to provoke her earlier dislike. She inclined her head regally and stood. 'Perhaps I should not listen to tales. You appear loyal to Isak, so I shall not judge you yet. In the meantime, I believe I should be showing you to the barracks.'

She felt a pang of guilt towards Isak for being so friendly, but only for a moment – when Isak had greeted her earlier, she had seen great affection in his eyes, but nothing more. She wasn't quite sure how she felt, but if there had been something there, it had already faded for Isak. At some point they would have to talk alone, but there was no rush. She smiled wryly: Lord Bahl would be pleased.

They said their farewells to the veteran Ghost, then Count Vesna, bowing slightly, ushered her out of the room with all the grace of a practised courtier. Carel watched them go out side by side: at that moment he felt very old, so out of touch. That thought stirred him into action and he got up to go in search of Chief Steward Lesarl's offices. Surely there was something even an old man could do.

The guardsman on the door outside Bahl's study nodded to Isak and eased the door open. The old Lord had removed his hood and Isak

could see the concern etched on to Bahl's face. The light from the stained glass windows was weak, and a number of huge candles were already alight, their flames casting strange shadows on Bahl's furrowed brow as he sat at his desk.

'You're glad to have your friend in the palace?'

Isak smiled inwardly. Bahl was not one for small talk, but Isak hadn't been the only one to notice that he was making an effort – a minor thing, but it made him less remote. The people of Tirah had all heard the last joke Bahl had made at his Krann's expense, and that had helped dispel some of their fear.

'I have more friends here than I've ever had in my life, but it's good to see Carel again,' he agreed.

'He was a Ghost, was he not? Well, he may be more use than just

as a friend.'

Isak tried to stop his Lord: 'I don't want to have to ask that of him. He retired to a quieter life for a reason. I don't want to be ordering him to kill, or to spy for me.'

'I understand, but never forget that he was a Ghost. I hear he thinks

of you as a son.'

Obviously Lesarl would report on every new face, but it still rankled that Carel – his friend – had come under the Chief Steward's scrutiny. He didn't say anything, but dipped his head slightly in acknowledgement.

'I suspect he'll demand to be involved soon enough,' Bahl continued, then changed the subject as swiftly as always. 'You know Count Vilan is in the palace to see his old friend, Sir Cerse?'

'I do, but I've told Vesna to be patient about getting court apartments,' said Isak firmly. ‘I’ll deal with Vilan soon enough.'

'Good. If you need a man to do it – or woman, he has several quite capable – then ask Lesarl. I know you don't like him, but you don't want blood staining your livery.'

‘I'll be careful. Was that what you wanted to see me about?' He was puzzled that Bahl would bother summoning his Krann for something they'd already discussed.

‘No. There are two other things. Firstly, I have decided you should leave Tirah.'

Leave?' spluttered Isak, incredulously. 'But I've only just returned!

Why would I want to leave?'

Bahl held up a hand to silence Isak's protest. 'You will hear me out first. I will not force you to go, but I believe it is for the best.' 'Was this Lesarl's idea?' snapped Isak, unable to keep quiet.