Frowning off across Carleon. Across the maze of cobbled streets, the tangle of steep slate roofs, the looming city walls his father built, all turned shiny black by the drizzle. Into the hazy fields beyond, past the fork of the grey river and towards the streaky rumour of hills at the head of the valley. As if, by sulking hard enough, he could see further. Over two score miles of broken country to Black Dow’s scattered army. Where the fate of the North was being decided.

Without him.

‘All I want is just for everyone to do what I tell them. Is that too much to ask?’

Seff slid up behind him, belly pressing into his back. ‘I’d say it’s no more than good sense on their part.’

‘I know what’s best anyway, don’t I?’

‘I do, and I tell you what it is, so … yes.’

‘It seems there are a few pig-headed bastards in the North who don’t realise we have all the answers.’

Her hand slipped up his arm and trapped his restless fingers against the stone. ‘Men don’t like to come out for peace, but they will. You’ll see.’

‘And until then, like all visionaries, I find myself spurned. Scorned. Exiled.’

‘Until then, you find yourself locked in a room with your wife. Is that so bad?’

‘There’s nowhere I’d rather be,’ he lied.

‘Liar,’ she whispered, lips tickling his ear. ‘You’re almost as much of a liar as they say you are. You’d rather be out there, beside your brother, with your armour on.’ Her hands slid under his armpits and across his chest, giving him a ticklish shiver. ‘Hacking the heads from cartloads of Southerners.’

‘Murder is my favourite hobby, as you know.’

‘You’ve killed more men than Skarling.’

‘And I’d wear my armour to bed if I could.’

‘It’s only concern for my soft, soft skin that stops you.’