‘I don’t threaten women,’ said Cionnaola mildly. ‘Fetch Master Tóla, please. And Grim, if he’s here.’

‘Grim,’ Mistress Della echoed. ‘Why Grim?’

Because we think he may be in trouble. ‘He’s needed urgently at Winterfalls,’ I said. ‘The prince sent a message. When Grim didn’t arrive we were concerned.’

‘I imagine he’s at work, up by the barn.’

‘There’s no sign of life there,’ I said. ‘And the men from Longwater said they were told not to come to work today.’

‘Perhaps Master Tóla can explain,’ said Cionnaola. Something in his quiet tone made my flesh come up in goose bumps. ‘Fetch him now, will you?’

‘Wait. Please.’ Mistress Della, plainly shaken, vanished back into the house. The door closed behind her.

When Tóla came out, after a considerable wait, he had two serving men with him, one bearing a makeshift club, the other a pitchfork. In the moment when he stood in the doorway, he looked not at the formidable Island men or at me but straight at Cara, and there was such sorrow in his eyes that I felt some sympathy for the man, despite the terrible lies he had told. Despite the heinous offence of stealing another man’s child.

It was only a moment. Then he stepped forward, glaring at me. ‘You are no longer welcome on my land, Mistress Blackthorn. I don’t know why these armed men are here, but I want them gone immediately, and you with them. As for my daughter, I remind you that she is only fifteen years old and is under my governance. Cara, go indoors immediately.’ Cúan was holding our horses; Cionnaola stood unmoving beside Cara. Behind Tóla in the doorway, his sister was silent.

‘I think not,’ Cionnaola said. ‘Not until you have answered the young lady’s questions. I believe Mistress Blackthorn may have her own questions for you. Grim should have come to Winterfalls yesterday, when he got our message. Where is he?’

‘I don’t believe anyone agreed to answer your questions, fellow.’ Tóla’s voice was icy. ‘Do you not understand a simple command? Get off my land. Now.’ His servants stood awkwardly on either side of him. Their desire to be somewhere else was plain.

‘Brother,’ said Mistress Della from behind Tóla, making him start. ‘Whatever this is, it’s best conducted indoors, not standing out here in the open.’

‘Don’t give me orders, woman!’ He turned on her, and she took two steps backwards, almost tripping on her skirt. Cionnaola moved, to do what I was not sure, and I laid a hand on his arm. Then, like an eldritch shadow, a dark bird flew across the courtyard, passing over Cionnaola’s shoulder to alight on Cara’s. She flinched at the crow’s sudden weight, then drew herself up, squaring her slight frame.