“No need.” The little man, the one that brought me here, is back beside me. “We can mend. Moving trees, not so easy.”

Some of the wee folk put the injured one onto a very small stretcher, then carry him off into the forest. Some of them thank me; some nod their heads; some smile. They’re quickly gone. All but the first one.

“You could have said,” I tell him. “Straightaway, I mean. I’d have been happy to help.”

“I find your friend, you lift the tree,” the little man says. “I help, you help.”

“I would have helped you anyway. But yes, it would be good if you could find Blackthorn.”

“Not far,” he says. “You will find her. That way.” He points in a direction that feels completely wrong. “Secret,” he says. “All secret. Not a word.”

“I don’t keep secrets from Blackthorn,” I say. “And what’s this you’ll find her? Didn’t you say you’d—”

Then I hear her voice. And the little fellow’s right—she’s not far off. “Grim!” she’s calling. “Grim, where are you, you foolish big man?”

“Here!” I yell. Almost before the word’s left my mouth, the wee man’s gone. Not bolted; not strolled away; vanished. Like Conmael does when he’s had enough of talk.

Never mind that. I’m going fast through the undergrowth to find Blackthorn, who’s shouting, “Over here! This way!” Know she’s been worried. Only calls me names like that when I’ve given her a real fright. I come out into a clearing and there she is. Looking upset. Can’t tell if she’s scared or cross or just tired out. Could be all three.

“Sorry,” I say. “Must’ve wandered off the path. You all right?” Plainly she isn’t. But I can’t wrap my arms around her like I want to. Way she looks, I’d get my head bitten off.

“Am I all right? You were the one who went rushing off by yourself. You were the one who . . .”

I wait but she doesn’t finish. “What did I do?” I make myself ask.

“Gave me a fright. Twice over. You mean you can’t remember what happened?”

“You tell me.”

“You were sick after breakfast. We walked up to St. Olcan’s; we told a story on the way; you turned the story into . . . something else. Something that upset you. You bolted into the forest. I made some excuses and came to find you. Only you weren’t so easy to find.” She’s staring at me. Seems to be thinking hard.

“And?” Know whatever it is can’t be good. “What did I do?”

“You were talking nonsense. You weren’t really with us. I touched you on the arm and—well, you lashed out and almost hit me.”

See through that straightaway. I hit her—that’s what she’s saying. I hit Blackthorn.

“Don’t look like that, Grim. You gave me a fright, that was all. And it was you I was frightened for, not me.”

When I don’t say anything at all, she starts walking. “We should get back,” she says over her shoulder. “Or Lady Geiléis will have search parties out looking for us. Not the best impression to make on our first day. I haven’t gathered a single herb. Hope I find one or two between here and the house. If ever a day called for a good brew, this one does.”