A knock at the library door. Cúan went to open it and came back with a shawl, which I wrapped around my shoulders. The warmth was welcome. I reminded myself to be careful. It was an old trick, using kindness to make folk relax and give away secrets. I believed Ségán. But maybe I believed him because I wanted to – because he seemed to be offering the long-dreamed-of chance to bring my enemy to justice. How that could happen, I had no idea. But he had said the Island men worked outside the rules.

‘I want to believe you,’ I said. ‘But I’m cautious. With good reason.’ I glanced at the pages. ‘What happens to my document now?’

‘We will find a hiding place more secure than the one you used.’

‘How can I be sure you won’t send it straight to Mathuin of Laois? How can I know you won’t send a pigeon to give him the news within a day?’

Ségán sighed. ‘Mistress Blackthorn, I do not know how to reassure you. Tell me, do you trust Prince Oran?’

‘Yes.’ Oran was a young man of high ideals, ideals he put into action every day in looking after his household and the folk of the district. ‘But you might have lied to him.’

‘He hired us, Mistress Blackthorn. We’re working for him. And he will soon be back here with more information for us.’ He indicated the pages on the table. ‘Now, do you need to write anything further, or is this account complete?’

‘It’s complete, more or less. I should go over it, check everything. If I have time.’

Grim, I thought. What if Grim came back? What if I had reason to go up to Wolf Glen within those few days? I couldn’t not tell Grim. Especially if this turned out to be what I thought it might be. And what about Conmael? ‘Ségán?’

‘Yes, Mistress Blackthorn?’

‘There’s a man mentioned in those papers. My friend, who came north with me.’

‘Safe at Wolf Glen, working, is that right?’

He knew everything. ‘He’s there at present. What you said about keeping this secret – he should know. About what is planned. What might be planned.’

‘Safer, for now, if he does not know. When Prince Oran returns, you may ask him about it. Now I’d better let you go. Do not forget what I said. Not a word to anyone. Not even the most trusted members of the household. And if you need to go anywhere outside the walls, speak to me and I will arrange an escort. Anywhere, Mistress Blackthorn, you understand? Even a short trip to the settlement or back to your own house. What we have here is not only invaluable, it puts you at considerable risk.’