‘Things can change fast.’ Now that I’ve stopped walking, I feel how cold I am, block of ice on a pair of numb legs. I stamp my feet a bit. Hope someone comes out with news while I can still walk. ‘This attack in the south. Was it Mathuin of Laois?’

‘Who else?’ Eoin’s voice is like winter. ‘Big party of men-at-arms moved in under cover of night, surprised Lord Cadhan’s guards. Place was awash with blood, the messenger said. Good men fallen, brave men. Friends of mine. There’s been an itch in my sword arm since I heard that news. A powerful wish to ride to Laois and spill some blood in my turn. That’s how all the fellows are feeling, all of us that came from there with Lady Flidais.’

‘What happened to Lord Cadhan and his wife?’ I want news of Blackthorn, but I need this news too.

‘They’re safe. Got out by a secret way, underground. Cadhan didn’t want to go; wanted to stand and fight. His wife persuaded him to leave. Curdles my guts to think of it.’ He bows his head.

‘I’m sorry,’ I say. There are no words big enough for this sort of thing. We stand there a bit, the three of us not saying anything, until a woman comes out of the house, wrapped in a cloak. My heart leaps, thinking it’s her and she’s safe. But no, this woman is taller. It’s Deirdre.

‘Blackthorn’s not here, Grim,’ she says. ‘She brought Cara back a long while ago, then left. She did ask me if she could have a word with Lady Flidais, but my lady doesn’t want to see anyone at present. The household’s been turned upside down since this news came from Cloud Hill.’

Her eyes are red; she’s been crying. I remember that she comes from Cloud Hill too.

‘Hope you didn’t lose anyone close,’ I say.

‘We don’t know yet. Not all the names. That’s the worst part, not knowing.’

‘I’m sorry,’ I say again, though that’s never enough. ‘Will you be going to court, Deirdre?’

‘Lady Flidais wants me to go with her, yes.’

‘Good luck with it, then. You’d better get in out of the rain.’

That’s when Donagan, the prince’s man and a friend of mine, comes up behind her. ‘Grim! You look freezing, man. Come in if you want, dry off and warm up.’

‘Thanks, but no. Looking for Blackthorn. If she’s not here, I’d best go and look somewhere else.’

He knows how worried I am, that’s plain on his face. ‘She’ll have found shelter with someone, surely,’ he says. ‘When you do find her, could you pass on a message from Lady Flidais?’

I nod. Try not to show I’m shivering.