‘Something from every kind of tree. Even the ones you wouldn’t choose to build with if you had any common sense. But some of the bits are small. Doesn’t matter if they’re just tucked in somewhere, as long as they’re all there.’

‘Sounds odd. Why would you do it like that? Might mean the place wasn’t as strong as it could be. Or as weather-tight.’

‘Building it the right way brings good fortune,’ Gormán says. ‘But it has to be done just so.’

‘That’s him,’ says the master, and I see someone coming down from the forest, over the other side of the ruin. A man who might have walked right out of an old tale, he’s so shaggy and wild and strange. I wonder for a bit if he’s not a man at all but some uncanny thing, a troll or suchlike. Master Tóla turns back to me. ‘Will you do it?’ Sounding as if it matters a lot, me saying yes.

‘I might talk to him first. Get a better idea of the job.’

The master’s mouth goes tight. Eyes not so warm now. ‘Don’t take too long over it. The pay’s better than you’ll get anywhere else. Use of a horse, a good one. Freedom to come in and out, provided you don’t gossip about the work down in the settlement. We’d be wanting you to keep this to yourself, the same as Bardán.’

‘Is that right?’ I say, thinking their bags of silver don’t look so tempting now. Why would they want everything so secret? It’s only a house. Bardán’s close now; just on the other side of the ruin. Taking a good look at me. I give him a nod. ‘Quick chat, that’s all I need. Then I can give you an answer. If it doesn’t suit you to wait, maybe Gormán here can come down and let you know. Master Tóla,’ I add, trying to be polite.

‘Very well,’ he says. ‘Take your time.’ Thinking, I’m guessing, that if he’s too sharp about the rules I’ll change my mind about doing the work. ‘Gormán, I’ll be in my council chamber. Bring Grim down there when he’s made up his mind, will you?’

A few things I learn really quick. First, Bardán’s not ready with his words. Second, he doesn’t want to be here. Doesn’t want to do the job. Doesn’t say so, not right out, but the look in his eye, the set of his shoulders, the way he talks, all that tells me he’s not happy at Wolf Glen. Third, he’s going to build the heartwood house anyway.