Cúan’s gaze moved from one side of the cottage to the other, taking in the two shelf beds, both neatly made up with blankets and pillows. He did not ask the obvious question, and I did not offer any information. When Emer seemed about to speak again, my frown silenced her.

‘You come from the island.’

We all turned to look at Cara; this was the first time she had spoken since Cúan’s arrival. The flat statement rendered the young man momentarily silent.

‘What island, Cara?’ I asked.

‘In the north. The warrior island. They all have the . . .’ She gestured to indicate the facial tattooing. ‘Serpent, bird, wolf, salmon and so on. I’ve seen you. Not you,’ she added, flicking her gaze over Cúan and away as if he were of as little interest as a fly on the wall. ‘But some of the others.’

‘Where was this?’ He was keeping his tone friendly, but I’d seen the way his eyes sharpened.

‘By the lake. At Wolf Glen. Gormán was selling them logs. For building.’

I asked what seemed the safest question. ‘What lake is that, Cara?’

‘Longwater,’ Cara said. ‘To the west. You can’t get timber in and out on this side; the track is too narrow. And tricky. That’s what people say.’

Now that she had started talking, I feared she would blurt out something best kept to ourselves. We knew nothing about this man. Good manners did not make him a friend.

‘What do you say?’ Cúan asked, before I could speak a word.

Cara gave him a shy, sweet smile. It brought a different look to his face, a softer one. Just as well he’d be on his way soon; that was a complication I could do without.

‘The forest is my friend,’ Cara whispered, looking down at her feet. ‘The paths lead me where I need to go.’

‘Then you are blessed indeed,’ said Cúan with gentle courtesy. ‘Mistress Blackthorn, it’s past time I departed.’ He rose to his feet. A tall man; though not as tall as Grim. Few were. ‘Thank you for your hospitality, and my apologies to you, Emer. You were so quiet, we did not know you were in the wood.’

‘It was nothing,’ Emer said.

‘All the same. If I may, I will come past in a few days and make sure you are quite recovered.’

‘So you’ll be staying in the district awhile?’ I opened the door, wanting him gone.

‘I can’t say,’ Cúan said. ‘Good day to you all, and my apologies once more.’ It seemed he had no horse with him; he headed off down the garden pathway, then took a track across the fields toward the prince’s residence.