Chapter 23Rannick had appeared at the castle in the middle of the night to receive the acclaim of the entire troop following his ‘saving’ of Haral’s group.
Like Haral, Nilsson had no illusions that the ambush had somehow been arranged by Rannick. But, also like Haral, he had no intention of voicing such an accusation. Whatever he or any of his men might think about Rannick and the fate of Haral’s group, all sensed that Rannick would have to be followed; and that life would be easier, not to say longer, if he were followed willingly rather than otherwise.
And, chillingly, Nilsson knew now the nature of the strange other presence he had felt at their first encounter: it had been the awesome creature that had hunted and savaged Haral’s group. Rannick’s dreadful familiar had been waiting in
