I wished I could ride down at once to find out if Swallow had anything to say about my intention to travel with the four ships to the Red Land and to discover what he knew about the journey his own ancestors had made from that distant land. But given what Iriny had said, I decided it would be politic to wait till after he had chosen the child who would be his heir. I wondered if the knowledge that he might bear no son or daughter had saddened him. He had always seemed so ready to accept the things predicted for him that I found it hard to imagine him reacting with disappointment. Would he not simply accept his childlessness, or was it different when the predicted future was not connected to the ancient promises?

I saw Ceirwan’s expression slacken and realised someone was communicating with him. ‘That was Zarak. He was eating firstmeal when Gevan brought Reuvan into the kitchens. He had ridden up earlier with a message from Dardelan for Brydda and Rushton. According to Zarak, the gist of it seems to be that the high chieftain will not now arrive until the afternoon of darkmoon.’

‘That is cutting it rather fine,’ I said.

‘It seems Dardelan’s spy in Sawlney sent word to him that a meeting is to take place between th’ leaders of th’ various robber bands to talk of merging into a renegade army. It sounds mad, but when ye ken that some of them were soldierguards or Hedra, it dinna sound quite so farfetched.’

‘What has this to do with Dardelan coming up late for the moon fair?’ I asked.

‘The meetin’ is to take place at mid morning on darkmoon, an’ Dardelan sees it as the perfect opportunity to swoop in and nab all of the ringleaders.’

‘No doubt it was arranged deliberately to happen after his departure for the highlands and the moon fair,’ I muttered. ‘Jude would know that Brydda is already up here, and no doubt he is well enough informed to know that Rolf, Khuria and Elii are coming up as well. Indeed, all Misfits who can make the journey as well as those who sympathise with us will be here or on their way up. Leaving the way clear. Ye gods, maybe they plan some sort of coup!’