Gryss leaned forward and seized its neck anxiously.
‘I’m sorry,’ Farnor blurted out as the look in Gryss’s eyes heralded a particularly fulminating reproach. He took the horse’s head and patted it gently.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said again.
Caught between concern for the fright he had received, the loss of dignity he had suffered and Farnor’s swift apology, Gryss was only able to splutter.
‘It is empty,’ Farnor said, capitalizing on this hiatus.
‘What?’ Gryss managed as the statement cut through his confused indignation.
‘It is empty,’ Farnor repeated. ‘The castle. I’ve been watching it all afternoon and I haven’t seen a sign of anyone. Nilsson was telling the truth. They’ve all gone.’
‘Oh,’ said Gryss flatly.
‘Where are you going?’ Farnor asked, abruptly.
Still unsettled by Farnor’s sudd
