"Have a drink Lance," she said to me. "You have done so much today, and it is time to rest." And so, as My Queen requested I pretend to drink, tossing the dregs to one side. I never drink - wine. Good wholesome milk or water are what I was raised on and they are what I drink.

Pretending to be exhausted, I lay down and wait. Sure enough, she too pretends to sleep. She would not be who she is if she stopped before everyone else's welfare was seen too.

I watch her through slitted lids as she creeps from the tent. As she makes her rounds, it is clear to me that she favors Aonghais. I do not understand it, given what I have seen of the man. A good warrior, true, for he fought as well as I did, but what does she see in him?