Hello Mr Cornwell,

Currently re-reading the Warlord Chronicles and many characters make the “sign against evil” but you never go into what this entails.  I can’t seem to find much information on it.  Is this an invention of your own or is this a gesture that’s just been lost to history?

Since it’s your own invention perhaps you could humour me and tell me what Derfel is doing to ward off evil spirits!

Chris Horry