Lord Robert spoke somewhere behind him. “It was not an unreasonable fear. But how came you to know Nan?”

Beauty and blood, a hundred miles and more from this place. He could still see her cutting the rope that bound him, handing him bread.  “She saved my life,” he said, still looking only at her. “You saved me.”

“The thieves that attacked on the road out of Morency, when Sir Gerald was injured,” Robin dutifully explained to the others. Nan had apparently told him everything last night. “They captured him when the abbey burned.”

“What fortune that you were spared, and could hide your identity for a journey the breadth of England,” observed Lady Eluned. There seemed to be a barely restrained anger in her, pulling her voice tight.

“If not the king, my bastard brother would see me dead.” He must explain it. If only Nan would turn her eyes up to him. “I must be a nameless Welshman, to live.”

They all seemed frozen in place, waiting for something – waiting for Nan, to do or say anything. But she was as still and silent as stone.

Lady Eluned let out a breath, too emphatic to be a sigh, and said, “We must discuss what is to be done. Sit you down, my lords, and I will call for refreshment.”

As though she had been waiting for the words, Nan dipped her knee quickly and whispered, “I will see to it, my lady.” She fled from the room, as swiftly as she had run to it only minutes ago.

Gryff stared at the door where she had disappeared, wanting to go after her but knowing he must not. He knew every line of her body, every wordless sign that told him she did not want him to follow. Later, he would find her and explain. It was only a name. It meant nothing. So long as it did not kill him, it was only an inconvenient name.

“Robin.” Lord Robert’s voice was low. “Be sure we are not disturbed here. And go to her.”

Gryff watched Robin leave, fighting against the jealousy that sprang up to know her friend would be welcome when he was not. But that could not matter now. He forced his attention back to this moment – this dangerous moment when he stood under the roof of two of the highest nobles of King Edward’s court, and they knew who he was. It was an unwelcome feeling, to slip back into the role of hostage prince and face all the political maneuverings that must go with it. But he must, if he was to survive.