In his cage Pellor lifted his head to listen. He heard the sound repeated. Alert now, he peered through the dying glow of the fire towards his guards. No one moved. He cupped his hands to his mouth and answered the owl’s call. No one looked round. There was silence, and then the answer came from some trees to his left.
As quiet as a cat, a figure crept through the darkness, and approached the cage. Pellor took the knife that was slipped into his hand, and under cover of drunken singing from some of the guards, and the snores of others, he and his rescuer worked at the locks.
* * * *
Just past midnight, a sudden wind sprang up.
Those on watch along Liel’s northern border sounded the alarm.
Liel and Rheinid awoke to find the night sky was red. Every hill, every field, every forest was a
