‘Ah,’ says Blackthorn. ‘But we’re new to these parts. What’s usual for your folk doesn’t come naturally to us.’ He’s made her angry. ‘I don’t like doing things without question. Why does Prince Oran want to see us?’

‘In part, to thank you for your contribution yesterday.’

‘No need to do that twice over.’

Donagan’s holding on to his temper by a thread. ‘Prince Oran also has a private matter to discuss with you. It is you in particular, Blackthorn, whom he wishes to talk to. It’s not essential that Grim comes with you.’

A private matter. That’d be some kind of sickness, like poxy Branoc and his sore shoulders. Compared with the council, it should be easy. And Donagan’s right, Blackthorn doesn’t need me trailing along getting in the way. I open my mouth to say, I’ll be heading off, then.

‘Grim comes with me,’ Blackthorn says. ‘And since we’ve got a day’s work to do afterwards, we’d best go now.’

It’s not like yesterday, when we went in the big gates with the crowd and there were guards everywhere. This time Donagan takes us down a long side path and in through a farm gate. There’s a few folk working in the fields, over the far side. Some cows turn their heads and have a look at us. Donagan leads his horse and we walk alongside. We’re headed away from the prince’s house, up a hill toward some birch trees. They look spindly and cold without their leaves. Puts me on edge, a bit. Keep expecting Slammer and his cronies to jump out of the bushes and slap us in shackles. Fact that Slammer’s dead makes no difference; there’s plenty more like him around.

‘What is this?’ I ask. ‘Where are you taking us?’

Before Donagan can answer, there’s the prince himself, coming out from under the trees and walking down the track to meet us with that little dog at his heels. He thanks Donagan, and Donagan gets on his horse and rides off back the way we came. Really is a private meeting; as private as it can be, just Prince Oran and the two of us, if you don’t count the dog. Must’ve decided he can trust us. That was quick.

‘Thank you for coming,’ the prince says. ‘I know you both have work to do, not only your daily work but rebuilding the cottage as well.’

I give him a nod. Blackthorn makes a sound meaning, Yes, we’re busy, so get on with it.

‘Your help at the council, and your courage and wisdom in the matter of Branoc’s crimes, were invaluable,’ he says. ‘Please know that I appreciate your contribution deeply.’