Grim appeared in the open doorway. “Got news for you.”

“We’re almost done here.” I tied off the ends of the bandage. “Keep this clean and dry, Rodan.”

“Thank you, Mistress Blackthorn.” It was the patient’s friend who replied. He helped Rodan up, and the two of them went off together.

Grim came in and closed the door. “Just spoke to Deirdre,” he said. “She told me a message came in from the druid. Says he’ll be happy to help Lady Geiléis, only he can’t get there until after midsummer. Flidais just told the lady.”

“And how did Geiléis take it?”

“Badly, Deirdre said. Floods of tears.”

“Tears or no tears, there’s nothing I can do to help her. Another midsummer will come around; she can try again then.”

“Mm. Oh, and Flannan was looking for you. Told me to tell you he’s in the library.”

“He’ll have to wait. Maybe he’s forgotten I have work to do.”

“Go and tell him that, will I?” Grim was smiling.

“He knows where to find me.”

“Mm-hm. I’ll be off, then. Couple of the fellows are working on unarmed combat. Said I’d go and watch.”

“Maybe you can stop them doing each other serious damage. I’m getting tired of patching up their mistakes.”

“See you later,” said Grim, and was gone.

The next knock on the door would be Lady Geiléis, no doubt. Pleading for me to change my mind. Wanting me to sort out her monster and set her world to rights. Thinking that because she was nobly born she could bend me to her will. I would give her a firm no, as I had before. If Conmael challenged me about it later, I would tell him that Flidais had asked for my help first, so I wasn’t technically breaking his rules.

But when the knock came, it was Flannan’s, and what he said to me turned everything upside down.

10

Grim

“You’ve what?” I’m shocked. Too shocked to hide it.

“I’ve changed my mind,” Blackthorn says, calm as calm, though she’s set my head spinning. “I’m going to Bann to deal with Lady Geiléis’s monster.”

It’s late, after supper, and we’re in our chamber. Haven’t talked to her since the afternoon, when I passed on Flannan’s message. Been busy with the lads in the practice yard, then talking to some other folk at supper, and haven’t had the chance. She was looking pale at supper time and she still is. On edge about something. That makes two of us now.

“But . . .” I can’t get the right words out. There aren’t any right words. “But you said . . .”

“I’ve spoken to Flidais. She’s given me permission to go provided I come back straight after midsummer, and Lady Geiléis has agreed to that. The baby’s not due until autumn; Flidais will do perfectly well under the care of Master Caillín.”