‘The weather seems set fair, at least until late afternoon,’ I observed, thinking that Flidais looked charming in her fur-trimmed cloak, deep blue to match her eyes, with her hair in a complicated sort of plait. Like something from an old tale. My spirits lifted in anticipation of the ride. Autumn colours were everywhere; the trees wore brilliant capes of scarlet and gold, and the recent rain had left miniature lakes here and there on the fields, silver sheets under the sun. On such a day, in my imaginings, Flidais and I had walked out together, just the two of us with Bramble, to enjoy the beauty of growing things and muse on the passing of the seasons. Perhaps to invent a poem or two, trying with words to capture the enchantment that we saw. After her response to my gift, I hesitated to suggest anything of the kind.

‘We might ride over to Silverlake and see the folk there as well,’ I suggested. ‘I try to visit both villages in between the open councils, in case folk have any concerns they wish to raise. Sometimes I can resolve a problem without the need for it to be aired in the more formal setting of the council. The women will welcome your presence; I imagine there are some issues they will find easier to bring to your attention than to mine.’

‘If that is what you wish, of course,’ Flidais said. ‘I do wonder why your steward cannot do this for you.’

We rode on in silence for a little, while I considered and discarded various replies. Surely I had already made my philosophy on a leader’s responsibilities clear to her, not only in my letters but in our discussions since. ‘As I’ve told you before,’ I said eventually, ‘I believe it’s important that we make these visits in person. Yes, it’s unconventional. But it’s the way I prefer to do things.’ I recalled somewhat belatedly the circumstances under which she had left home. ‘It is a time of peace here, of course,’ I said. ‘Riding out like this, with only a small escort, is perfectly safe.’

‘I understand, Oran,’ she murmured. ‘Though I would have thought you might have other matters on your mind.’ She glanced at me sideways as we rode, and the look in her eyes made the heat rise to my cheeks. I turned my gaze forward, hoping the men-at-arms had not noticed.

‘Bramble seems happier under Aunt Sochla’s eye,’ I said, changing the subject. ‘The two of them have quickly become good companions.’

A silence, as we rode down a gentle hill toward the village of Winterfalls, where the dry weather had brought folk out of doors to tend to gardens, hang up washing and chat with their neighbours. Then Flidais said, ‘Your aunt is a formidable woman. I suppose any dog would obey rather than earn her anger.’