“The breakfast is very good, thank you.” I forced a smile. “Might I borrow a basket? I plan to gather some herbs this morning. And we’d like a kettle and some cups for our bedchamber. Grim and I don’t sleep well; it’s useful for us to be able to make a brew when we need it.”

“You need only ring the bell, Mistress Blackthorn, and one of our folk will bring you whatever brew you wish, no matter how late the hour.”

“What, wake folk in the night to wait on me? I don’t think so, generous as the offer is. Just the things I’ve asked for, Senach, nothing more.” Plainly this fellow didn’t understand that boiling the water, tending the fire, chopping the herbs, all helped to settle restless minds and quiet tormenting voices in the night. No obliging servant could replace that.

“Of course, Mistress Blackthorn. Consider it done. As for going out to gather herbs, you should wait until Lady Geiléis has risen. I believe she may advise against wandering into the woods. She has told you, I expect, that folk often go astray in these parts. And there is the . . .” He glanced toward the shuttered windows, beyond which the monster’s wails could be heard, faint but distinct.

“Keep the shutters closed all day, do you?” asked Grim.

“Only when we have visitors to the house,” said Senach. “Those who live here are accustomed to the sound.”

“Open them if you want,” I said. “We’re here to investigate Lady Geiléis’s problem, after all. We can’t do that very well if folk are constantly shielding us from its influence.”

Senach regarded me gravely. “I would require Lady Geiléis’s permission for that. Let us wait for her. I am sure she will wish you to take an escort.” He turned to Flannan. “Speaking of escorts, Master Flannan, yours will be here soon. With your permission, I’ll send someone to pack up your belongings.”

“No!” Flannan got abruptly to his feet, then checked himself. “That is, I have very little with me, and I prefer to pack for myself. My writing materials, you understand—they are somewhat delicate, and I’m happier if nobody else handles them.”

Senach managed, with the slightest lift of the brows, to convey that he thought this about as ridiculous as guests wanting to brew their own tea in the middle of the night. “As you wish, Master Flannan. When the monk arrives, I will let you know. Meanwhile, please ring the bell if there is anything you require.” And he was gone.

“Odd old place,” muttered Grim.

“No odder than any house where serving folk tend to grand lords and ladies,” I said. Though that was not entirely true; Winterfalls was different. Prince Oran conducted the business of his household in an unusual spirit of equality. He treated his serving people, and his community, with a friendly respect that belied his status as crown prince of Dalriada. He let everyone have a say, yet when it came to the hard decisions, he was not afraid to make them. A pity there weren’t more like him. When his time came, he would make an interesting king.