We rode; nobody needed to spell out that it was best to keep the horses close in case we had to leave in a hurry. Ripple’s barking rang out ahead of us, a cry of urgent purpose. We dismounted in the yard next to the barn, close by the place where I had spoken to Grim on the day of my last visit. Where we had, for a brief moment, held each other’s hand. Why hadn’t I said something to him while I still could? Why had I pushed him away, over and over?

No sign of any grooms. Cúan tethered the horses. I glanced back down toward the house; Tóla and his sister were walking up after us, the two of them conducting what looked like a fierce argument. The men who’d been acting as bodyguards had been joined by several more. ‘Trouble,’ I murmured to Cionnaola, pointing.

‘Nothing we can’t handle. Where’s that dog?’

A door stood open at the end of the barn, and Ripple had disappeared inside. The foresters’ living quarters, Grim had said. And now here was Gormán, coming out to investigate. A smell of cooking wafted past. Mushrooms?

‘Gormán.’ Cara’s voice was strangled, difficult.

‘Cara!’ The burly woodsman had turned pale. ‘This is no place for you. Let me –’

‘I found the story of the heartwood house,’ Cara said. ‘A story about a man who stole a child. I know my father lied to me. I want you to tell me the truth about what happened when I was a baby. But my real father needs to be here. And Grim. Where are they?’

For a moment Gormán was speechless. Inside, it sounded as if Ripple was knocking things over. The barking rose to a frenzy. ‘They’re not here,’ Gormán said.

‘That’s a lie.’ I strode toward the open door, and the woodsman grabbed me by the arm. He was strong; maybe a match even for an Island man.

‘Don’t touch her!’ Cara cried, and almost instantly the two warriors were there beside me, Cúan applying a hold on Gormán’s arm that made him release me quickly, gasping, and Cionnaola moving up to the doorway. I did not see him draw his knife, but it was in his hand as he took a stance just outside the entry.

‘We’ll be wanting to have a look around,’ he said easily. ‘Seems there might be something amiss. Why don’t I just stand here and keep folk out for a bit? Cúan will go in with you, Mistress Blackthorn.’

‘Gormán.’ Cara’s voice could hardly be heard over Ripple’s now. ‘I didn’t think you would ever lie to me. It would help very much if you would tell the truth now.’