‘Don’t look so stricken,’ Donagan said, packing up the remnants of our meal. ‘This woman’s here now, and as for your future wife, you have plenty of time to put arrangements in place. You’ll be able to ask Lady Flidais in person what she’d prefer. Though I suggest you do not do so the moment you see her; she might take that to indicate you are over-eager for the marital bed.’ I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, and saw him grin. ‘A joke, Oran. Only a joke.’

‘It is no laughing matter.’ I rose to my feet, gazing across the still waters of the pool to the trees beyond. I had glimpsed that sudden spot of red again, perhaps a scarf, perhaps a head of vibrant hair among the haze of greys and greens, perhaps a bright bird passing. It was gone now. Maybe Blackthorn liked visitors even less than her henchman did. ‘We’d best be on our way. I can’t imagine how I overlooked this. I must set it to rights without delay.’

‘If taking action on the matter will stop you from stamping around in a state of constant anxiety, it can be only good,’ observed my friend. ‘Shall we ride?’

I would have written to my father as soon as we returned home. But a messenger had come during our absence, and there was a letter from Flidais. It had been carried north by a series of riders, and under the lady’s instructions it had been delivered not to court but directly to me. I left Donagan to help the groom with our horses and retreated to my bedchamber, wondering if a time might come when my sweetheart’s communications did not turn me into a shaking bundle of nerves, and considering whether that would be a good thing or a bad. I knew what my mother would say.

I broke the seal, which was not Cadhan’s, and unrolled the parchment.

To Oran, Prince of Dalriada

I write this in some haste to let you know that I and my attendants are now safely across the border of Ulaid. We are enjoying a few days’ rest in the household of the local chieftain, Muadan. I have never travelled so far from home before, Oran, and I admit I find it deeply disconcerting. I feel somewhat set adrift, though folk have been very kind and have gone out of their way to make me welcome. I am glad that my maidservant Ciar is travelling with me, along with several women from my parents’ household. That means I am bringing a little of home with me, though I am so far away.

I am anxious about the safety of my father and mother and of all our people. Riding away and leaving them felt wrong, though I know this was what my parents wanted.