‘My lord,’ I said, ‘we are here to see justice done. I know Grim regrets his loss of self-control. If you will ask your guards to release him, I will give my word that such an outburst will not happen again. It has not been easy for either of us to be here today. We came for Ness’s sake, and for Emer’s. My lord, we need to witness the proceedings right to the end.’ I swallowed, then added, ‘Please, Prince Oran.’

The prince looked somewhat startled, as well he might be. ‘It is not your word I require, Mistress Blackthorn,’ he said, ‘but Grim’s. Grim, I understand the desire to take things into your own hands; to dispense summary justice. But that is not the way we conduct matters at Winterfalls. The open council provides a forum for grievances to be heard and settled; it provides everyone with the opportunity to express an opinion. Everyone. That extends even to a person accused of a heinous crime. Do you understand?’

Grim drew a ragged breath. ‘Yes, my lord.’ His voice was the growl of a hunting hound straining against the leash.

‘Curb your anger; it does not serve you well. Guards, release him. Grim, this is your only warning. Next time you will be removed from the hall.’

Grim did not look in the least contrite, but the guards let him go, and he came back to sit by me. He put his elbows on his knees and turned his gaze on the floor. I did not think he was ashamed of his outburst. I guessed he was keeping his eyes off Branoc, lest the desire to throttle the man became too much for him.

‘Branoc, I believe we just heard you confess to lighting the fire,’ said the prince levelly. ‘Is this so?’

‘You call it lighting a fire, my lord.’ Branoc spread his hands and shrugged. ‘I call it ridding the community of a danger. This man, you see his anger, you see how he charges like a mad bull, heedless of the damage he does. This woman is a witch, a meddler, a bringer of trouble. If they can steal my wife, they can steal yours. If they can enter my home uninvited and trick me, they can do the same to each of you. They are a blight, a pox, a constant danger. Better that they had burned.’

There was a silence. Prince Oran gazed at Branoc, his expression one of stunned disbelief. Master Cael’s sharp features were tight with offence. Master Tassach looked as if he’d swallowed something unpleasant. My own belly churned with disgust; my gorge rose. I willed myself to be calm. I had pleaded that we be allowed to stay until the end, and stay we would.

‘Is that the end of your statement?’ the prince asked. ‘You wish, perhaps, to speak on the matter of Ernan’s death as well?’