A woefully inadequate explanation. I held his gaze, waiting for more.

‘We were riding to Winterfalls, to Prince Oran’s establishment. My companions have gone ahead. I thought it best to make sure Emer came safely home. And I have a question or two for you.’

Emer was shivering now. She needed a restorative brew. Behind me, the cottage door creaked open. No surprise. Cara was not fond of rules, even those designed for her own benefit. ‘You’d better come in,’ I said. Why this man would want to speak to me I couldn’t imagine. ‘I’ll make a brew.’

The young man waited while I made tea and Cara set out some bread and honey. With Cúan present the room seemed suddenly too small. Emer sat by the fire, saying nothing.

I poured the brew. Cara passed around the platter. ‘It seems you’re not going to tell us anything further about what happened just now, Cúan,’ I said eventually. ‘What was it you wanted to ask?’

‘You might tell me whom you have seen passing along that track in recent times. The track through Dreamer’s Wood. Carters, farmers, folk taking pigs out to forage . . . it would seem a convenient way for all of those. But few enter the wood, is that correct?’ Whatever he saw on my face, and perhaps also on Emer’s, seemed to give him pause. ‘You wonder why I would ask such a thing,’ he went on, flashing a charming smile that didn’t fool me for a moment. ‘It may reassure you to know that I am heading for Winterfalls at the invitation of Prince Oran. My companions also.’

‘Then you can ask Prince Oran about the road and the wood,’ I said, not caring that I sounded sharp. ‘He knows as much as I do.’

‘Not quite as much, surely. You live here, right on the edge of Dreamer’s Wood. The prince’s dwelling is some distance away across the fields. Your answers are the ones that interest me.’