The voice is familiar, but in my addled state I cannot place it. And I doubt the truth of his words. I want to respond, to shout at him, but can manage only a croak, whereupon my captor fetches a beaker of water and bids me drink. I discover I have a fierce thirst, and would drain the vessel if he did not stop me.

‘Not so fast! Ha,’ he grunts, taking the cup from me. ‘I never saw a person so happy to drink something that wasn’t ale.’

My breathing is easier now, my throat soothed. My eyes begin to find their sight once more.

‘Hywel? Is it you?’

‘Aye.’ He climbs stiffly to his feet. ‘For my sins, Prince Brynach insisted he would put you in the care of no one else. Though heaven knows I make a poor nursemaid.’

I see now that I am in my own little house, and the realization brings me comfort. How I got here I do not know. The last I recall I was in the great hall, shifting from hare to woman, and on the point of death.

‘You brought me here?’

‘The prince did. I assisted him. He would not leave your side until he could be convinced you would live.’ Hywel frowns down at me, his bushy brows and unkempt beard wriggling as if they have life of their own as his face expresses his displeasure. ‘And well you might not have, the wound you had. I gave you up for dead more than once, but the prince would not have it. Bid me try anything and everything. Even sent for Nesta and her herbs, but Princess Wenna would not let her come. That displeased him greatly, I can tell you. Man was fit to tear his own teeth out when he thought you’d die. Don’t know why you didn’t, truth be told. Still, here you remain.’

‘Yes,’ I say, dragging myself a little more upright and pulling the woolen blanket around myself. ‘Here I remain.’ For a while I watch Hywel tending the fire, content to allow him to go about his business while I try to order my thoughts. ‘How long?’ I ask at last. ‘How long have I … slept?’

‘Five nights, if you count the one we found you. And I’m not likely to forget that this side of a harvest moon! Naked in the prince’s bed! With half the village sleeping two strides away. Ha! How we took you from there without raising merry hell I shall never know. He wrapped you in a blanket and carried you himself, kicking me from my dreams on his way out. Says he knows not how you came to be there, nor who it was inflicted such harm upon you. Whoever it was, there is no doubt they supposed they left you dead. ’Tis a miracle you are not.’