Razi stood in conversation with Jared. The Lady Mary had refused Razi’s protection, as Alberon had known she would. To Wynter’s surprise, however, the priest had been remarkably open to the idea. Wynter was trying hard to be gracious about his intentions, but it was easy to suspect that this had less to do with Mary’s welfare, and more with the hassles of trailing a pregnant woman all the way home.
‘I shall speak with her again,’ said Jared. ‘Try and convince her of the sense of it.’
‘Please do,’ said Razi. ‘And do your best to convey my sincerity, won’t you? There will be nothing of the beggar’s taint involved. No unsavoury implications. The Lady D’Arden will have every dignity, and her child the best of care. You do believe me, Presbyter? You will press my case?’
Jared sighed and ran his hand across the gleaming whiteness of his scalp. ‘I’ll try,’ he said, ‘but it is vital I leave today. If I cannot convince her to stay, I must take her with me. There’s naught else for it.’ He tutted. ‘If only the Blessed Virgin had not made that damned journey on an ass, my Lady might feel less inclined to risk the same . . . oh, God forgive me for saying so!’ he said and blessed himself quickly, three times in a row. ‘She is an exasperating woman, though,’ he muttered. ‘I’m not so certain you’re wise in taking her on.’
Razi extended his hand. ‘Do your best,’ he said quietly.
Wynter paused in the act of tying her blanket roll, and stared as the priest gripped Razi’s dark hand and shook it. She did not know why, after all the things she had witnessed in the last few months, but this sight arrested her – a Midland priest shaking an Arab’s hand, their faces set in solemn accord.
The two men were caught in a slanting shaft of early light, and it rimmed them in gold, throwing their shadows long and misshapen against the sloping sides of the Merron quarters. As Jared released Razi’s hand and turned away, Hallvor emerged from the darkness of the tent behind them. She carried Sólmundr’s bright wool cloak in her arms, and as she slipped past Razi the sun glanced hotly from her bracelets and glowed in the fluid blackness of her hair before she crossed back into shadow.
It was a moment so vivid and so inexplicably sad that it stole Wynter’s breath.
Úlfnaor ducked from the other tent and waited while Razi watched the priest leave. Then the big Aoire smiled and bowed, offering his hand to Razi in farewell. The Merron gathered in a silent row behind them, their faces grave as the two men shook hands.
‘We shall see each other again,’ said Razi.
‘I want tell you thanks, Tabiyb, but there not ever to be enough words for it.’
Razi nodded silently and turned away, heading for his horse. Úlfnaor’s attention lifted to Sólmundr, who was just taking to his saddle. The Aoire met his friend’s eye and his face creased in wordless emotion. Sólmundr grimaced ruefully and shrugged. By his horse, Hallvor stood with his cloak in her hand, her dark eyes sad.
‘Sól, mo mhuirnín,’ she whispered, ‘tar ar ais gan mhoill.
’ Taking his cloak, Sólmundr leaned perilously low and pressed his forehead to hers, squeezing his eyes shut. ‘Slán, a stór,’ he whispered.
‘You to stay alive!’ shouted Wari suddenly, and Sól laughed, his forehead still pressed to Hallvor’s. He straightened and pulled his horse into line.
‘Don’t go hunting any Wolfs without me!’ he said. ‘It is for my son and I their heads are keeping.’
Úlfnaor and Wari nodded in dark understanding. Úlfnaor murmured a translation, and the other warriors grinned knowingly. Surtr made a cutting motion at his throat. Wynter frowned as she took to the saddle, glancing at Razi, who was pretending not to notice or understand. Christopher, hard-faced and silent, just waited expressionlessly to pull away.
‘Iseult?’ Wynter glanced down to find Hallvor smiling gravely up at her. ‘You take care of yourself, luichín, yes? You and your odd little tribe.’ Wynter nodded. ‘And do not forget.’ Hallvor tapped her temple, a wicked twinkle in her eye. ‘If Coinín ever gives you any trouble, hit him in the head, preferably with your boot.’
Wynter couldn’t quite bring herself to smile. ‘You will take care of the Lady Mary?’ she asked. ‘For as long as she remains in your care?’
Hallvor nodded. ‘I will protect her,’ she said. ‘I swear it.’