‘There’s a difference between being afraid and letting people see that you are,’ I said, pushing back an old memory that threatened to surface. ‘Grim, answer the question, will you? You must have somewhere to go, your old home, your old work. But here you are, sitting by my campfire, eating my food. Why?’

Nothing; he just sat there hunched over in his blankets, head bowed. From time to time a shiver ran through his large form.

‘Come on, Grim.’

‘Stupid,’ he muttered. ‘Thought you might need help. Protection, you know? On your own, suddenly back out here, no resources, weakened after so long locked up . . . Seemed as if I might make myself useful.’

I made myself count up to five before I answered. ‘That was kind of you. But completely unnecessary. I’m well able to fend for myself, and thanks to Conmael’s people I didn’t start the journey with no resources at all. I appreciate your concern, Grim, but I’m not in need of a bodyguard or a travelling companion. In fact I prefer to be on my own. You were in that place too; you’ll surely understand.’

‘I’ll be off, then.’ He made to get to his feet.

‘Don’t be stupid! You’re not going anywhere until you’ve had a night’s rest and got your clothes dried out. In the morning you can head off on your own business and I’ll be on my way north.’ One part of my question remained unanswered. ‘Why didn’t you just come up to me and ask if I needed help? Why track me? Though I have to say, for a big man you’re quite good at it.’ I knew nothing of his life before we were locked up; neither of us had ever spoken of those times.

Grim sighed weightily. ‘Because I thought you might say what you just said. That you didn’t need me.’

‘If you’d heard it earlier, you could have saved yourself a lot of effort. And stayed dryer.’

‘I should go.’ He tried to get up again.

‘Stubborn, aren’t you?’ Something about this was really bothering me, but I couldn’t quite put a finger on it. What was I missing? ‘You’re not going off tonight in the rain. Especially not wearing my blankets. And if you weren’t too tired to think straight, you’d see how ridiculous you’re being. Settle down and get some sleep, and in the morning there’s to be no running off before I wake up, understand? I have a job for you before you leave.’

‘What job?’

‘Cutting this off.’ I gestured toward my matted locks.

I had his full attention now; he looked horrified.

‘No! Why would you want that?’

‘Why wouldn’t I? It’s disgusting. Washing it was no help at all.’

‘I could comb it out for you.’