There is no escape from the battle. I make a mad dash from the area where Morann has been viciously slain, where now the Niafer war band is closing in from all sides. My feet hardly touch the boggy ground as I sprint over an open field and rush towards the tall trees that line the road. Breathlessly I arrive, only to discover that the woods are the scene of yet another battle.

I wheel around in a blind panic and collide with a tower of solid flesh and muscle. A sword flashes in my face.

"Keu!" I gasp. "Stop, it's Baine!"

He throws his arm to one side just in time to avoid beheading me. "I almost killed you! Where's Nion? 'Daig? What -"

Words pour out of me. I don't know what I'm saying. I can't stop staring at Keu's sword arm. Blood streams from several deep gashes. I can see bared sinews and a splinter of bone. With his other hand, he sobers and silences me with a backhand slap across the cheek.

"Baine, beautiful Baine, you have your sword, now fight! Fight for your life!"

He spins away in a whirl of blood to meet yet another Niafer spearman who is intent on making a name for himself by destroying the famous renegade monster. Keu evades his attack with lumbering side-steps and a bit of luck. I can see he's exhausted. His arm may be invincible but one good spear-thrust to the belly or the chest and he'll die like any other man.

Sword in hand, I fly to Keu's defense.