Hawklan gripped her hand. ‘My poor people,’ he replied.
There was another long silence, then Andawyr said, ‘Finish his tale, Memsa, unburden him.’
Hawklan looked at her. ‘Do you know my name?’ he asked.
Gulda shook her head. ‘We know who you are,’ she replied. ‘But not your name, nor even the names of those who rode with you.’
Hawklan frowned. ‘I don’t understand,’ he said. ‘Do you know how I came here?’
Gulda shook her head again. ‘That’s an even greater mystery,’ she said. ‘But at least I can tell you that the Orthlundyn’s sacrifice was not in vain.’
Hawklan leaned back in his chair, his face questioning.
‘Then, as now, to presume to match Sumeral in cunning was an act fraught with hazard,’ Gulda said. ‘We don’t know whether Ethriss’s plan was betrayed or whether it was just seen
