The flicker of anger already in me flared abruptly to a full-sized blaze. ‘Keep your remarks to yourself!’ I snarled, painfully aware that although the insult had been aimed at my companion, Grim was standing strong and quiet beside me while I raged. ‘If that’s the best you have to offer, we’ll be better off without your interference!’

Conmael gave an airy wave of the hand. ‘If that is your wish, of course. It merely occurred to me that the stormy weather might be slowing your journey and making it less comfortable than it need be. I provided only scant supplies for you. By now, surely you have need of further resources.’

I opened my mouth to tell him we were fine on our own, thank you, but Grim got in first.

‘Dry clothing for the lady. Fresh bread, a round of cheese. Two more blankets and a second knife. That should see us to Winterfalls.’

I was stunned into silence.

‘My offer was not made to you,’ said Conmael.

‘Consider Grim’s request my request,’ I snapped. ‘Provided there is no payment required in return, that is. I’m not talking about a handful of coppers here. No payment of any kind. My obligation to you is already heavy. I’d rather go cold and hungry than add to it.’

‘You’re sure that’s all you want? Bread, cheese, dry clothing and a blanket or two?’

‘And a knife,’ said Grim levelly.

‘And a knife, but perhaps not just yet,’ Conmael said, eyes still on me, ‘since your guard dog seems likely to plunge it into me the moment I turn my back.’

It seemed to me that under the circumstances Grim was doing a remarkable job of keeping his temper. ‘I’m willing to accept the offer of some necessities, Conmael,’ I said, hugging the blanket around me. ‘But I can’t believe you came out here in the rain just to ask us if we needed help. Your folk are surely capable of leaving us a basket of bread and cheese any time they’re so inclined.’

‘Your camp site will be flooded before dawn,’ said one of Conmael’s companions. ‘Unless you care to swim out, you should move.’ He held up the lantern he was carrying to reveal that the stream had risen significantly. Perhaps he was right about a flood, perhaps not. I had no wish to put it to the test.

Now I felt not only cold, tired and angry, but stupid as well. We’d made a foolish error. In the dark, with little knowledge of the terrain around us, we had no choice but to accept these folk’s help.