“Apart from the horse, I can only help by giving you advice. Return to Wrocław and pay Canon Otto Beess a visit. Or perhaps you already have? While you were in Wrocław with Elencza?”

“Canon Otto is out of favour with the bishop. It appears I am to blame. It may still rankle him, and he may by no means be gladdened by my visits, which might bring him harm—”

“How caring you are!” Dzierżka sat upright in the saddle. “Your visits always threaten harm. Didn’t you think about that as you rode to visit me here, in Skałka?”

“I did. But Elencza was my concern. I was afraid to let her go alone. I wanted to get her here safely—”

“I know. I’m not aggrieved that you came. But I can’t help you. Because I’m afraid.”

She pushed her sable calpac to the back of her head and wiped her face with a hand.

“They intimidated me,” she said, glancing to one side. “They put the bloody wind up me. On the twenty-fifth of September, near Frankenstein, by Grochowa Mountain. Do you remember what happened then? I was absolutely terrified, I swear. Reynevan, I don’t want to die. I don’t want to end up like Neumarkt, Throst and Pfefferkorn, and then Ratgeb, Czajka and Poschman. Like Cluger, burned to death in his home with his wife and children. I’ve stopped trading with the Czechs. I don’t talk politics. I’ve given a large donation to Wrocław Cathedral. And another, just as large, for the bishop’s crusade against the Hussites. Should the need arise, I’ll give even more. I prefer that to seeing my roof on fire one night. And Black Riders in the courtyard. I want to live. Particularly now, when—”

She broke off, pensively twisting and bending the strap of the reins in her hand.

“Elencza…” She paused again, looking away. “If she wants to, she’ll leave. I shan’t stop her. But were she to wish to stay here, in Skałka… Stay… for a long while… I wouldn’t have anything against it.”

“Keep her here. Don’t let her go off to work as a volunteer again. The girl has a heart and a vocation, but hospitals… Hospitals have stopped being safe of late. Keep her in Skałka, Madam Dzierżka.”

“I shall try. But as far as you are concerned…”

Dzierżka reined her horse around and brought it so close she was touching stirrups with Reynevan.

“You are very welcome here, kinsman. Come whenever you wish. But, by Saint Eligius, have a little decency. Have some regard for that girl, a little heart. Don’t torment her.”

“I beg your pardon?”