What was coming? Her father killed? His lands overrun? A wave of shame ran through me, for my first feeling, when Muadan spoke, had not been shock and sympathy for Flidais’s family, but the realisation that if either guess was true, I was trapped. If her father had lost his battle, Flidais’s entire future would hang on her marriage to me. Her home, as it had been, would no longer exist. ‘Tell me what has happened,’ I said, setting down the cup around which my hands had fastened themselves tightly.

‘I got word through a man of mine who was in the south on unrelated business. As far as I know Cadhan and his family are safe, but I heard that Mathuin of Laois tried to make a bargain. He wanted Cadhan to cede a large parcel of grazing land in return for Mathuin’s promise to cease these border attacks. As any leader worth his salt would do, Cadhan refused him outright. And that should be the end of it, but . . .’

‘But Mathuin seldom takes no for an answer.’

‘So I’ve heard.’ Muadan frowned into his goblet. ‘I don’t like Cadhan’s chances of dealing with this on his own. But the chieftains of the region won’t want it developing into outright territorial war.’

‘Is this fact, Muadan, or only rumour?’

‘The source was reliable,’ Muadan said. ‘It’s common knowledge that Mathuin is both ambitious and ruthless. And his personal army is sizeable; he could seize not only the stretch of land in question, but Cadhan’s entire holdings, I suspect. Probably thought he was being magnanimous in offering the so-called bargain. But now Cadhan’s refused, Mathuin may feel justified in taking what he wants by force. I did hear he’d had hopes of marrying Lady Flidais, and was mightily put out when her father promised her to you.’

‘Mathuin? He’s fifty if he’s a day. And . . .’ What I had heard of the fellow suggested he would not be a fit husband for any woman.

‘Mm-hm. I think your lady may have had a lucky escape, my lord. But the betrothal can’t have sweetened Mathuin’s temper. You may have made an enemy.’

I did not especially care if Mathuin of Laois loathed and despised me. Should we ever meet in the flesh, I was fairly sure the feeling would be mutual. His lands lay far from my father’s, and the likelihood of our ever being at war was slight. On the other hand, one day I would be king of Dalriada and a senior member of the High King’s council.

‘Thank you for bringing this to me, Muadan. Please pass all the information on to my father when you reach Cahercorcan. You’ll be there before me, and so, possibly, will Lorcan of Mide. Flidais and I won’t be at court until a few days before the hand-fasting.’