He’s got hold of himself now. Working hard to stay calm. ‘You still haven’t answered my questions,’ he says, tight-jawed. ‘Where was Bardán? Why did the two of you come back together? You said he couldn’t be involved. How do you know that? Have you been with him all day, every moment? Why aren’t you down in Winterfalls?’

Keep calm, Grim. ‘Thought I would be in Winterfalls. Too wet to work; day off.’ I told him, clear as I could: the woman in labour in Longwater, the herbs, running into Bardán at his old house, walking back with him when it was all over. ‘There’s a whole lot of folk can vouch for me being at Longwater most of the day, and I can vouch for Bardán. Listen. If you need me to help search, I’m happy to do it. Only I want you to treat him fair. He’s not bad, he’s only addled in the wits. Needed time to think about his family, shed a few tears. No harm done. Treat him well, he’ll work better for you. Find him a warm spot to sleep, better cover, a good meal or two. A kind word.’

‘It’s not for you to instruct me in the accommodation of workers,’ Tóla snaps. ‘You’re in my employ the same as they are.’

‘Not quite the same,’ I say, holding on to my temper. ‘Don’t think you’re paying Bardán, are you? And I’m here by choice, making myself useful. If I decide I don’t like the conditions, mine or anyone else’s, I’ll take my tools and my services somewhere else. I’ll hand back your silver, all but what I’ve earned already with my labour. If you want me building your heartwood house, you look after the workers a bit better.’

They’re both gaping at me. Think I might have said a bit too much. Meanwhile, there’s this girl, and it’s dark. Tóla’s right about one thing: it would have been good if the folks at Winterfalls hadn’t taken all day to let him know she was gone.

‘Best time to talk about this is after,’ I say. ‘After we’ve found your daughter. You’ll be worried half out of your mind. Sounds like your men are waiting for orders.’

‘You can help, yes. We need every man we can get,’ Tóla says. ‘But I’m not finished with you. It sounds like Bardán’s not the only one who’s been breaking rules. Talking out of turn. I don’t want the whole district knowing my business. I made that very clear indeed.’

‘Master Tóla,’ says Gormán. ‘Grim’s right, they’re waiting. From what he said, he’s only talked to this Blackthorn. And it sounds as if she’s been a friend to Cara.’