He leaned back in his chair; appeared to relax just a little. ‘Let me explain something to you. Swan Island men have several strings to their bows. We train warriors who come to us. Train them in skills they cannot learn from their own masters-at-arms. Train them to a level unlikely to be achieved elsewhere. Occasionally, we undertake missions. Most leaders have their own fighting forces and need not look beyond them. But sometimes there comes a need for special services. Unusual ways of solving problems. Skills beyond those possessed even by the most elite of men-at-arms. Where a leader faces a difficulty and the only way to overcome that difficulty involves breaking established codes of conduct – breaking the rules, if you like – then that leader may call on us. The community on Swan Island was founded by a man commonly regarded at that time as an outlaw. A man who cared little for convention, but who believed in justice and fairness. In all we do, we continue to adhere to those principles.’

My mind was working hard. ‘You’re telling me Prince Oran is prepared to break the rules? To break the law?’

‘You know already that we are in the district at Prince Oran’s invitation. I cannot answer further than that.’

My heart was beating fast. My palms were clammy. ‘Not good enough,’ I said. ‘I understand that some matters are strategic and must be kept confidential. But at the very least you can explain to me why you sent two men to convey me back here, and scare me witless in the process, when I was heading home anyway. I’m not saying anything about that document on the table until you tell me that.’

‘Very well. There was an earlier attempt on your life, from a certain quarter. My men happened to be close at hand and took the individual into custody. He was questioned. The information he provided led us to believe there was a link between yourself and . . . Prince Oran’s enemy.’

‘Wait a moment . . .’ My mind was racing. An attempt on my life? When? ‘You don’t mean – do you mean that day in Dreamer’s Wood, when Cúan brought my assistant home? Emer said she saw a sort of scuffle, but – you mean that was one of Mathuin’s spies?’

‘We won’t speak of the details,’ Ségán said. ‘But yes, that was the occasion. A person was sent to silence you. Very fortunately, at the time my men were in the area and dealt with the attempt swiftly.’

My stomach felt hollow. ‘What happened to the man?’

‘He won’t be troubling you any further.’

‘But that was some while ago. Why are you suddenly taking steps to protect me now? I could have been killed ten times over since then.’