‘Sit down, please,’ I said, indicating the bench near her. ‘I have a serious matter to discuss with you.’

‘Oh dear, Oran.’ She sat, still holding her handiwork. ‘You look so solemn. Not the tiniest smile for me today?’

I ignored this blatant attempt to placate me. ‘Flidais, at your parents’ home, did you assist your mother with resolving difficulties in the household, or in the settlements within your father’s territory? Did she explain to you the purpose of audiences and councils? Did she teach you how important it is for us, as leaders, to be open to the problems faced by our people?’

Flidais drew her needle from the fabric and applied herself to stitchery. Her hands were shaking visibly.

‘Flidais?’

‘That is a lot of questions, Oran. Have I done something wrong again? Please say I haven’t.’ She looked up, turning the full power of her beautiful eyes on me.

‘When we rode into Winterfalls you went to the weaver’s workshop with the village women and spent some time talking to them. Did a young woman named Emer speak to you about her friend who had gone missing? The miller’s daughter from Silverlake?’

A delicate frown creased Flidais’s brow. ‘A miller’s daughter? I don’t believe so, Oran. I recall nothing of that kind. Why do you ask?’

I had thought she might have a ready reason for dismissing Emer’s plea. I had thought she might be apologetic and promise to do better next time. I had not expected her to deny this outright.

‘I’ve just had a visit from the healer, Mistress Blackthorn, along with her man and the young woman I mentioned.’ I gave her the story as a straightforward account, taking care not to sound accusatory, for after all, it was not she who had abducted Ness, nor had she been alone in discounting Emer’s concerns.

‘I don’t remember anything like that,’ Flidais said when I was done. ‘She must have made a mistake; forgotten to tell me. What a terrible story, Oran! We must make sure this girl, the one who was imprisoned, is well looked after now. I suppose, after what has happened, her traveller sweetheart will no longer want her. She will be viewed as spoiled goods.’

I swallowed a fresh surge of anger, though quite possibly this was true. ‘You say Emer did not seek your counsel on this matter. I don’t believe you.’

‘Oran!’ The big blue eyes were full of reproach, the delicate lips pouting. ‘How can you say such a thing?’