I tried to take this in. A raid? An assassination? But that wouldn’t require testimony. And while I would shed no tears if Mathuin were killed, his death alone would not satisfy me. Nor, I was sure, would it be enough for his other victims. He needed to be brought to account for his crimes. Brought to account, if not publicly, then at least before his peers. ‘There should be justice,’ I said, picking my words with care. ‘Not only justice done, but justice seen to be done.’ What about the High King? He was hardly likely to sanction a secret mission that broke all kinds of rules.

‘All those who should know, do know,’ Oran said. His mouth was set unusually grim; his eyes made me think of a winter sky. ‘All those who should be consulted have been consulted and have given their approval.’

‘Morrigan’s britches,’ I murmured, making Donagan smile. Unthinkable. The High King knew about this, whatever it was. I wondered if the Island men might have magic on their side. A druid to advise them. Someone like me, only a lot more powerful.

‘Mistress Blackthorn,’ Ségán said, ‘you’ll need to travel. And it will be at short notice. We’re taking certain precautions in order not to draw any attention. There will be no massing of folk, no riding in numbers. You’ll go with one of our men, perhaps two. And soon. That means we need you in this house, ready to depart, unless there is a life-or-death call for your healing services in the immediate district of Winterfalls. Make sure you go no further. The timing is tight; we’ve kept it that way for a reason.’

‘I see.’ What question could I ask that he might be prepared to answer? What was most important? ‘Grim,’ I said. ‘He must come with me. You know why. You’ve read the document.’ Conmael was another matter; I would think that problem through when I was on my own. One thing I knew: no vow, no promise, no threat of dire consequences was going to stop me this time.

‘Would Grim also be prepared to testify?’ Ségán asked.

‘You’d have to ask him. I don’t think he would want to speak before an . . . assembly. But he would want to be present. And . . . it would be easier for me to do this if he was there.’

‘I concur. Grim should be part of this,’ Oran said. ‘It should be simple enough to arrange. I understand he’s still working up at Wolf Glen. He’d best come back here until it’s time. How soon can we get a message to him?’

‘I’ll send someone,’ Ségán said. ‘We’ll get a message there in sufficient time for him to ride with you, Mistress Blackthorn.’