Walking back up to the barn in the rain, I wonder why he wouldn’t just get rid of me. There’s got to be someone else who could take the lead with the build. I just insulted the master, laid hands on him, more or less told him he was a liar. So maybe he’s keeping me not because I’m a good worker, and not because I can watch over Bardán, but because I know too much. Maybe I should turn round and head for Winterfalls right now, even if it’s night and rainy and I’d be leaving Bardán on his own. But I’m tired, and there’s a light up in the quarters and a meal waiting. And if I left him without a protector I’d be making a liar of myself. Said I’d teach my own daughter to be kind, didn’t I? Kind and honest and good-hearted. And the way to teach a little one is to show her how it’s done. Leaving the wild man, running away, that wouldn’t be kind or good-hearted. So I head straight on to the barn. Calmer now. Thinking of a baby girl, not Tóla’s daughter or Bardán’s, but mine. The one I might have, some day. I can see her, crouched down beside me in the garden. I’m showing her which ones are the weeds. She finds a worm; squeals with excitement. Big smile on her face; little hands all muddy. Hair like a bright flame.

Chapter Thirty-five: Blackthorn

35

~Blackthorn~

‘I’m astonished,’ Prince Oran said, ‘that you believed this information might somehow discredit you in my eyes or in my wife’s. I know from experience that you are courageous and trustworthy. The story you’ve just told me only strengthens that opinion. It appals and horrifies me. Sadly, I imagine that there might be many such accounts from folk under Mathuin’s rule, were those people not afraid to speak out. I know Flidais would agree with me if she were here. You could have told us this much earlier without any fear. Indeed, that knowledge would have aided our planning.’