End of the day, I’m aching all over but happy with what we’ve done. Conn’s as skinny as a bean pod, but he’s strong. And not a talker, which suits me. Odd team, but it worked well enough, Bardán watching and telling us how it should be done, Conn and me shifting the stones to the spots where they needed to go. Felt like a jumble at first. But the wild man knew what he wanted. Broken bits in one pile. Bigger pieces stacked alongside the edges of what’ll be the new house. Out the back of the barn they’ve got shaped stones from the old build, piled up neat. And inside the barn, keeping dry, is the wood they saved. Oak, ash, beech, like the wild man said. And more. All sorts. Some of it cut to size, some logs with the bark still on. Makes it easier for me to guess what kind they are. Looking at all that wood, I’m thinking I might have taken on too much. If Bardán knows how it’s going to fit together he must be the best builder in all Erin. Which he could be, who knows? Can’t judge a man by how he looks. Or how he talks.

I’m off home then. Riding Sturdy, leading the horse I’ve been given for getting to and fro. Nice big grey, a mare, name of Mercy, which I like. Gormán’s said they’ll switch between her and another horse so as not to wear them out. Scannal can stable them for me.

Ride feels shorter on the way home, though I’m tired and so is Ripple, running alongside. Make sure I get out of the woods before dusk falls. Cuts the working day a bit short, but still. Common sense. That forest isn’t the sort of place you want to linger in after dark. Could be all sorts of things in there, and I’m not just talking wolves and the like. Glad to get clear of the trees and head over to Scannal’s. I drop off the horses, have a word to him. He says he’ll look after Mercy, no trouble, and just come and fetch her in the morning. Then I’m off across the fields for home with dusk turning everything to soft shadows. Ready for bed right now, every bit of me worn out. Only supper first would be good. And didn’t I promise to do something for Blackthorn?