‘We’re at the home of a local leader,’ the prince said, indicating to the guards that the door should be closed. ‘In effect we have borrowed this place in order to provide appropriate security for the hearing. Whatever happens here, the intention is that no element of this will become public knowledge. Hence our hiring of the Swan Island men, who specialise in this kind of thing. Now, the hearing itself. Don’t be overwhelmed by those you see there. We have two kings in attendance, one of them my father. Five senior chieftains. Flidais’s father, Lord Cadhan, is here, as it was Mathuin’s offence against him that sparked action at last. We have two senior lawmen present, neither of them from Laigin. A representative from the High King is with us. And we have two trusted scribes. You are the only woman present, Blackthorn.’ Oran glanced at me. ‘You must speak for all his female victims. You will do so eloquently, I know. Just take it one step at a time and keep calm.’

I swallowed, wondering if my heart might give out from beating so hard. ‘Who has come here with Mathuin?’ I asked. ‘Has he brought his own lawmen? Retainers? Supporters?’ That was the usual practice at a legal hearing. Last time I had faced Mathuin in public I had been shamed and vilified. The memory welled up in me, sharp and painful; my whole body shrank from it.

‘It’s all right,’ Grim murmured.

‘Lord Mathuin has the services of one of our lawmen,’ Prince Oran said coolly, as if this were not a point on which he might be challenged. ‘Let it never be said that he was unrepresented at the hearing. Apart from that, he is alone. He was conveyed here covertly by the Island men.’

‘If – if he is found guilty, how will you –’

‘Now is not the time for that conversation. When the hearing is over, I may be at liberty to give you more information. Only remember that what happens here does not go beyond these four walls. I have included you because I want your testimony to be heard. And because I trust you – the two of you – not to speak of this afterwards. Not to anyone. I need to be quite sure you understand that.’