‘Stop right there,’ I said. ‘I was asked to drop in and check your state of health. Who I might or might not have known, and whether they were good or bad, has nothing at all to do with that. Now tell me about this cough.’ I bent my head to listen to her chest. ‘Breathe in, as deep as you can . . . that’s right . . . Now let it slowly out. Does it hurt when I tap here? Here? Are you sleeping well?’

The old woman submitted to an examination. When this was done, she adjusted her shawl and looked down at her folded hands.

‘Emer’s draught will help relieve the pain,’ I said quietly. ‘And ease the cough a little.’ I hesitated.

‘But I’m dying anyway,’ the old woman said. ‘I know that, lass. I’ve been hearing the flap of Morrigan’s wings this full turning of the moon and longer. If you could keep me going long enough to see the lad wed, that would please me well.’

I’m not staying. I could not bring myself to say it. ‘I’ll give Emer instructions for something that may help; a draught that’s stronger than the one she’s been using. I believe you’ll still be here for your grandson’s wedding. Sheer force of will goes a long way to keeping a person alive.’

‘Hah! You’d know that, I imagine.’

A vision of Mathuin’s lockup went through my mind in all its pitiful squalor. ‘That, and anger,’ I said.

‘I don’t feel angry. I just want to know things are set right.’ She stopped to cough again.

‘I want that too,’ I said. ‘I’m sorry I can’t stay. But Emer’s a good girl, she’s learning her craft, and she’ll help you.’

‘How can she learn if you won’t stay?’

I shrugged. ‘She’ll manage.’

‘Oh yes? Wise women aren’t abundant in these parts, so I hear. You’re the first one since Holly passed on, that’s what Emer told us.’

It seemed the whole of Silverlake knew my business. I shouldn’t have told this old woman that I was leaving. ‘I have a question for you.’

‘Go on then, ask it.’

‘You knew Holly, long ago. Did she ever tell a story about a place called Dreamer’s Pool, over near Winterfalls, and pigs?’

The old woman smiled. ‘She did. Folk didn’t like to hear that tale. It scared them. They wanted it forgotten. Seems they succeeded all too well.’

‘Could you tell me the story now?’

‘I need to piss. Need to get down.’