We reached the top of the rise.

“Might stop to catch my breath a moment or two,” I said, fishing out the water skin I had brought in my bag. “Drink, Grim?”

He took it; his hand was shaking.

“Go on if you like,” I said to the others, trying to sound offhand. The last thing Grim would want was for me to draw attention to what he would see as weakness. “How much farther is it, Brother Dufach?”

“A mile or so. Down through the beech wood, along by the stream and up over another hill. You’ll see a copse of willows by a drystone wall. That is the edge of the monastery land. Then you simply follow the wall around to the gate.” The monk glanced at Grim, who had his back turned to the rest of us. “If you wish to come all the way, we can offer you refreshment before you return to Lady Geiléis’s residence. We have a guest area where women can be received.” He paused. “Our establishment is far enough from the ford to render the creature’s voice much less troubling. Within our walls it can barely be heard.”

“And that, I imagine, is why you and your brethren, and your animals, are not affected by it in the way others in the district are,” I said, thinking to give Grim what time he needed to recover himself. “Lady Geiléis told us your cows are still producing healthy calves. And it seems your work continues undisturbed.”

“The power of prayer is great,” said Brother Dufach. “God holds us in his hand. That is not to say this does not try us hard. We did not invite visitors this summer, and will not do so again until the creature is gone. As a result, our work does not progress as it used to. Our scholars are looking forward very much to spending time with you, Master Flannan.” A pause. “Forgive me, Mistress Blackthorn, but I had heard . . . I had heard that Lady Geiléis brought you here to . . . deal with the creature. Is that true?”

“Something like that, Brother Dufach. Though if your God has not managed to rid the district of the scourge, who am I to attempt such a feat? Let’s just say I’m here to find out as much as I can about the creature and why it does what it does. Shall we walk on?”

Grim had turned to face me. There was a little more color in his cheeks. Still, he was plainly not himself. Perhaps he’d benefit from a rest at the monastery, time away from the constant crying. It was enough to bring the sunniest of folk to tears.

“How about a tale?” said Grim, working hard to make his voice steady. “Got one for a day like this?”

“A good idea, if Brother Dufach has no objection.” For the life of me I couldn’t think of anything appropriate, though I had a rich fund of tales. Any story that came immediately to mind was full of loss, heartbreak, failure. Like my own life.