“The babe was sickly, and they kept it confined…until it died, only days old. Tragic. Beladore, she was hardly recovered herself when she vanished in the night. None saw her leave. None but me that is! So, I tells the Thegn, and he goes after her. But he did not want me along, nor anyone else.”

Acwellen turned to Padric then.

“It was weeks before he returned,” he said. “And with the most grievous wounds I ever saw on a living man, hole through his shoulder wide as any spear could do. And he’s alone. No Beladore.” Acwellen knocked pretend dust from his hands. “Told me the Fae enchanted her, led her away, and murdered her and nearly him, too. Never spoke of it again. We leave Sasana, settle in Airlann, and some years later, imagine my surprise when that sheep-stinking Brogan starts asking me all secret-like about our Thegn’s dead wife. Says he read in some dusty book that husk kept about the descendants of the Goblin Kings, and has a thousand questions about Beladore that I cannot answer. Then Brogan, he goes and offers me the fort and all the land if I help him deliver Kederic to some goblins he’s been talking with.”

Padric had never known the man in life, but he found it difficult to believe.

“Brogan?”

“Liar,” Kederic said.

“He betrayed you first, Winetongue,” Acwellen said. “Said the Red Caps would reward us handsomely for you.”

“And you murdered him for it,” Padric accused.

Acwellen looked genuinely offended, casting an angry look at Padric. “Damn husk did that! Must have found out Brogan was reading his books and consorting with Red Caps. I never touched the man. We had an accord.”

Padric’s mind was racing. Lies came easy to Slouch Hat. The Thegn was right, he was too clever.

“So, I managed without him,” Acwellen went on, “and upheld my end…gave you over, Kederic.” The big man reached up and made a show of scratching his temple. “But here is where the memory plays tricks. That business with your wife, see I recall that being just before we came to the isle, some what…ten years ago now? Red Caps wanted your wife, and they get your long lost son instead.” Acwellen fixed a bemused face on Padric, teeth showing through his beard. “Passing queer that he’s twice too old.”

Padric raised a hand and glanced worriedly at the closed door.

“Acwellen,” he said quietly. “You mention word of this and we are all dead. You as well.”

The man shook his head. “Oh no. I intend on coming out of this alive. Always did. So you keep your secret…long as you can. I got no ken for spells and wizardry, but I know you are not who they need to bring those metal buggers to life. I am guessing they kill you all when they find out.”

“They will kill you, too,” Padric pointed out.