So we made our way home, slowly, because I found I was suddenly terribly tired, so tired my feet would scarcely take me in a straight path.

“I could carry you,” offered Red. “It worked quite well last time.” But I shook my head at that. Trust went just so far. He was a man, after all. “Oh, well,” he said as I walked grimly on, “I expect you’re too heavy now, anyway. Amazing what a bit of good food can do.” When I glanced at him I surprised the fleeting hint of a smile on his face, just for a moment.

I almost made it all the way to the house. There were people about, despite the cold; a gardener, well wrapped in woollen hat and mittens, trimming a hedge; a boy with a long stick of ash wood, herding a difficult flock of geese. We went in quietly, avoiding the main door, and managed to escape attention. Just by the outer entrance to my garden, my legs gave way from sheer exhaustion and to my extreme annoyance he did have to carry me those last few yards. When he opened the door to my chamber and took me inside, Alys sprang forward, growling and barking in a protective frenzy. Red deposited me quickly on the bed and retreated to the doorway. The small terrier stood her ground between us, her legs planted square, growling with all the menace she could muster.

“All right, all right,” Red said mildly, brows raised. “I know where I’m not wanted. I’ll send you some help, Jenny. Make sure you sleep. It was a long night.” I looked up at him, thinking he too looked weary. It was easy to believe him tireless, since he seemed to rest little and be none the worse for wear. But that morning there was a pallor about him, a shadow behind the eyes that I had not noticed out there in the sun. I pointed to him, put my hands together, laid my head on them and closed my eyes briefly. You—too—sleep.

“There’s the work of the day to be done,” he said, and he seemed taken aback at my suggestion. “And I have a word or two to say to my mother. But—” and here he was overtaken by a huge yawn, “perhaps you’re right. In any event, rest well, Jenny.” He slipped away out the door, and Alys gave a sharp yap or two to see him off.

Shortly after, Megan came with warm water and a clean nightrobe. While I washed and changed, she fetched mulled wine and fine wheaten bread with currants in it. She stood over me until I finished the food and drink, and she took Alys out into the garden and brought her back. She told me Mistress and little Johnny were both just fine, and I had done so well to save their lives, and she didn’t know where I had learned such things. Then she tucked me in and left me and I slept till evening, and if I had any dreams, I had forgotten them before I woke.