It had been hard getting the truth out. Telling the tale in all its ugliness had been like peeling off a layer of skin. At least Oran had not expected me to do it before a large audience. There were only four of us in the council chamber: the prince, his indispensable companion Donagan, Ségán and me. And while I could have wished the Island men’s leader not to be present, the fact that he knew my story already made it easier to speak. Still, I felt as exhausted as if I had run a long race. When Donagan poured me a fresh cup of mead and passed it over, the cup shook in my hands. ‘I’m glad now that I wrote it all down. It felt like a risk. But from what Ségán said, it can be used in some way. Can you tell me what is planned?’ My stomach was tying itself in knots, waiting.

Oran glanced at Ségán.

‘We can give you limited information,’ the warrior said. ‘There is an enterprise planned, yes. One of which I know you will approve. Secrecy is essential to its success. You’ll have to take a great deal on trust.’

‘Almost everything, from the sound of it. If you’re using my testimony, you could at least tell me where and for what purpose. I’m good at keeping secrets.’

‘That a woman does not break under torture does not mean she can afford to risk capture a second time,’ Ségán said, sending a chill through me. ‘We want you alive and well to provide this evidence in person. That will be far stronger than offering the written account alone. It could be discounted as a fabrication.’

My heart pounded. I thought I might faint. ‘So you are bringing him to justice? And you’re giving me the chance to speak? Where? When?’

They exchanged glances again, as if to say, How much can we tell her? The wait was unbearable. ‘Please,’ I said. ‘Please tell me this is happening at last.’

Oran was looking especially solemn. ‘You will have the opportunity to speak, yes,’ he said, making my heart lurch. ‘And soon. You may not know much about the Island men, what they do, the kinds of tasks they are called upon to perform. What we plan lies well outside the accepted rules for bringing a miscreant to justice, especially when that miscreant is a person in high authority. This mission will remain secret even after the goal is accomplished. The fewer people who know the details, the better the likelihood of success. And the safer for all involved.’