[Nogrod]

As the meal progressed, and the men about him drank and spoke and jested amongst each other, Coenred sat in a brooding silence. Now that the evening had come and the day had drawn to a close, he felt the unpleasant task of telling Athanar what he knew concerning Thornden pressing unpleasantly on his mind. Scarcely being aware that he did it, he watched Thornden's movements all evening. He was conscious when he left the hall to speak to Harreld, and he saw when he returned. He watched him from the corner of one eye the entire time he ate his meal. When Thornden stood again and went to the kitchen, Coenred could not keep still any longer. He stood and walked swiftly to where Athanar sat.

“My lord Athanar,” Coenred said, slipping into the vacant seat beside him where Saeryn would have sat had she not been serving. “May I speak with you on an important matter?”

Athanar turned towards his lieutenant and looked surprised. It was clear he had something pressing on him.

"Go on, Coen... tell me," Athanar said, giving Coen an encouraging look.

"Well," Coen said slowly, glancing around to check that no one was listening, "I think Thornden knows more of this Lithor and Erbrand affair than he has admitted. From things I have heard, I believe he saw them that day, after Erbrand's attack on Scyrr, and saw at least in what direction they went. Yet he said nothing."

Lord Athanar was taken aback with the news. He leaned back and took a long draught from the goblet while his mind worked furiously.

Coen watched his lord with some apprehension. He knew he had done rightly, but he did not look forward to the consequences. Athanar was a good lord and always took into consideration the longterm good, but sometimes his temper burned hot and fierce.

Yet suddenly lord Athanar gave a thoughtful smile. Coen looked at him, surprised but expectant.

"So, a traitor," Athanar murmured. "Or a man worth more I have been aware of?" He spoke low and Coenred had to lean his ear forward to hear him.

Slowly lord Athanar bent towards Coen and half-whispered to his ear: "Does anyone else know about it? Were there others who saw the two as they ran away?"

Coen shook his head slowly, thinking. "Hilderinc, I think, has an idea. I don't think any other of our men know. I don't know about Eodwine's men or the labourers, but I'd guess no, or not many. I don't know more, sir".

Athanar raised his eyebrow. "Very well, Coen. Tell Hilderinc to keep his mouth shut - if he knows anything - or to only talk to me about it. And keep your ears open if you hear anyone else talking about it. Give Hilderinc the same advice. This mead may loosen some tongues." Lord Athanar glanced around the merry gathering as he spoke.

"I will handle this with Thornden in private. If you see him, ask him to come to me, just casually. Don't tell him what it is about. Understood?"

Coen nodded and stood up. He went at once towards Hilderinc and tapping him on his shoulder, drew him away from the group of men with whom he sat and ate.