The Faithful and the Fallen discussion

This chapter opens as you would expect given how Corban's last chapter ended.

He riding with Gar up to Darol's hold. Many had rallied to Gar's call and the party riding for the hold was two score strong. Including Brenin the King.

When they arrived everyone's fears were realised, the hold was ablaze, or had been. The flames were burning low in places, having burned through most of the timber, or worse...

Gar tells Corban not to draw attention to himself, only men who have sat their long night were permitted to be there.

Brenin and some of his men are huddled around a body as they enter the main gate, it was Darol. Probably come to confront the attackers and died in defence of his family and hold it is surmised.

Next, there was a call from the feast hall, Corban forgets to keep himself o himself and pushes his way through to a black mound. Figures lay on the floor, five in all and burned beyond recognition. He can tell that one is Frith as she is much smaller than the rest but he knew Dylan, his friend was among the dead.

As I can only imagine, knowing his friend's had burnt alive he leaves and quickly vomits. A reassuring hand is placed on his shoulder, his father: Thannon. His father is a firm man, first telling Ban that he shouldn't be there and then after hearing ban utter his friends name, reassures his son.

Gar joins the two and the adults discuss their theories and what would be done. Gwennith arrives and rushes to her son, soon after the village turns up with buckets and wains and offer their help in the clean up and gather rocks and stones to build a cairn for the departed.

Brenin is outraged, that that murderers would exist in Ardan was bad enough but to attack on his very doorstep had sparked his rage. He takes out his sword and before the crowd of his people swears blood oath that Darol and his family will have justice and that blood will be shed.

The next morning Corban wakes and his mother encourages him to break his fast. He nibbles at it, I imagine he is feeling rather hollow. His mother tells him his father expects him in the forge at midday. In the meantime he tries to seek out Dath, Bethan answers and explains that Dath is out with his da on the boat. He then happens across Ventos who is moving on and so they spend a while talking.

Corban looks up at the sun and curses, realising he is lat. He gets to his father, out of breath and late. Corban apologises and his Da replies with a line I just love! 'No matter. Although a man should do as he says,'

Obviously still hurting, Corban loses himself in the work of the forge, the beat of the hammer until his da tells him he's finished for the day.

As they leave the forge they notice a rider heading towards the fortress. On the rider's shield was an emblem Corban had never seen before.

A white eagle on a black field...