“And the rest of the home guard?”
Waterstone shrugged, “They can either be deployed across a few of the holdings or wait on one side of the grasslands or the other, in which case they will be at least two hours’ walk from us.”
“Hmm. I must admit I will feel rather exposed, after having you woodfolk and your deadly skills surrounding me all the time.”
“It is definitely a risk,” said Stormaway heavily, “appearing among sorcerers when there is still a price on your head. It only needs one traitor in their midst…”
Tarkyn stopped beside a small wilting bush and absent-mindedly leant over so that he could run his hands up either side of it, sending an infusion of new life into it as he talked, “And yet I have given my word that I would return to see Lord Tolward. And don’t forget, I am guard
