Gormán’s quiet a good while. I know he knows what I mean. But when he speaks he says, ‘A portal to where?’

‘Somewhere a man might learn how to make a heartwood house.’

‘His father taught him.’ Gormán answers quick, like he hasn’t taken time to think. Like he’s had this answer all ready for when someone asked. Then he does think, and he stops walking like he’s been hit. ‘You’re saying –’

‘I’m saying if there’s someplace where folk can fall a long way, so far they’re out of one world and into another, that’s a place where we should be looking. Finding Cara’s more important than keeping Master Tóla’s secrets. Even he’d say that. Wouldn’t he?’

Light from the lantern’s not good, wavering, flickering. Hope the oil doesn’t run out. But I can see Gormán’s gone white. ‘There is a place,’ he says. ‘Whether I can find it in the dark, I don’t know. Surely she wouldn’t . . . Cara knows to stay away from the signs, she understands . . .’ He’s said more than he wanted to already. Told me something he didn’t mean to. ‘I think your dog’s picked up a scent,’ he says.

Looks like she has. Pulling on the rope, trying to haul me down the hill. No way to know if it’s Cara’s scent or some creature Ripple wants for her supper.

‘Follow her,’ Gormán says. ‘But take care. Morrigan’s curse, I don’t know if I want you to be right or wrong. I just pray she’s safe. If he loses her too he’ll go out of his mind.’

I let Ripple lead the way down a steep bank. Gormán follows. If Cara’s come to grief Tóla’s going to blame Bardán, same as he did when his wife died. He’s going to say it’s the wild man’s fault for being slow with the build and not getting the heartwood house finished. Mine too, probably, since I’m the one doing the work. He’ll shut out anything that doesn’t fit the theory. Like him refusing to get a crew in to do the work quicker. He’ll blame anyone except himself. That man’s full up with hate. Could be that hate comes from being afraid. Not afraid of Bardán so much, but afraid of bad things happening. Misfortune, like his wife dying while Cara was still a baby. One thing I know, and it makes my belly churn. If his daughter dies, Tóla will lay the blame squarely on us.

Chapter Nineteen: Grim

20

~Cara~