“He writes often to ask advice of me for his birds, though his own falconer has skill the equal of mine.” Hal’s face split into a smile. “He is nothing like he was as a boy, except for that.”

Gryff smiled to remember it. “Still looking for a fast friend, you mean?”

“One friend in particular. He hides it well, but from the first he has tried to find you.” Hal’s smile faded into thoughtfulness as he leaned back. “It is slyly done, the way he seeks information of you from me. He came with the king last year on the hunt, and said to me in secret that should you ever need him, you may still count him as friend.”

It should have been a relief to hear, but he knew Will too well – and he knew the king’s court even better. Gone was the guileless boy he had first met all those years ago. In his place was a Marcher lord, and a favorite of the king. Gryff rubbed a hand over his face.

“And do you believe he can be trusted?” he asked.

His friend looked into the embers of the dwindling fire, considering. The child in his arms had fallen to sleep at last.

“You know Will. He is so cunning I cannot say with certainty. But as to my belief – aye, I think he yet loves you like a brother and would not betray you.” He looked up at Gryff. “Never does he miss a chance to speak ill of your bastard brother. I can think of no reason for it, save that Will hates him for your sake.”

This had the effect of a simultaneously causing a wave of affection for Will and a small shock to remember Rhodri, whom he had put out of his mind almost entirely. For five years, life had been simple, the days orderly and free of intrigue. Now everything became complicated again, only because of the blood that ran in his veins. It made his head ache, to consider all of the machinations, the wheels set in motion after he had run away.

He did not want to think of any of it. He only wanted one thing.

“And if I... Think you I can go home?”

He knew it was how he said the word – home – that made his friend’s hand press gently on the sleeping child, holding her closer. Gryff would have said more, but there was a sound from the stair.

It was the dog, and a moment behind it came Nan. Her hair was in its braid again, her rough dress the same she had worn for most of their journey. Still the sight of her made him catch his breath. She was like a flame that had escaped the candle.