Cara starts to stir again so the talk’s over. Up ahead someone’s spotted us, me with the girl in my arms. And someone must have run to tell the master, because before we get to his grand house there he is, running toward us like any ordinary father who’s just got his daughter back when he didn’t know if he ever would. I put her down, she staggers into his arms, Tóla wraps her in a big hug. Tears running down his cheeks. Mistress Della’s crying and laughing at the same time. Cara looks asleep on her feet. Nobody says much for a bit, then Tóla lets his daughter go and Mistress Della takes charge. Puts an arm around the girl and leads her away toward the house.

Tóla doesn’t go with them. Turns to Gormán and me. ‘You found her, the two of you? Where was she? What happened?’

‘Fell down a deep hole,’ I say, taking care with my words. ‘Not hurt, beyond a bruise or two. But she was stuck. No way out. Down there a while. Far off the nearest track. Ripple picked up the trail, led us to the spot. We called out, she called back. Let down a rope, she climbed up. All by herself. Tired out, who wouldn’t be? But unharmed. That’s about the size of it, Master Tóla.’

Tóla glances at Gormán, who just nods. Doesn’t say I got it wrong about Cara calling out, which was the only lie in my story. Sounds like she lost her voice for a bit. Something Blackthorn’s told me happens to the girl quite often. Didn’t think of it when we were searching.

‘I owe the two of you a great debt,’ Tóla says. ‘And I thank you from the bottom of my heart. We’re all weary. I’ll speak with you again in the morning. Grim, you will stay here tonight, of course. Gormán, you’ll find a spare bed for Grim in your quarters?’

‘Plenty of room,’ says Gormán. Makes me wonder again why they don’t put Bardán in there, if there’s so much space. Wonder where they did end up putting him. All very well for Tóla to be full of thank yous now. I haven’t forgotten he shook a man who was unarmed and held fast. Tomorrow I’ll be asking a few questions. Asking for a few changes. And if Master Tóla doesn’t like that, he can find himself a new builder.

Chapter Twenty-two: Bardán

22

~Bardán~