The dining hall was a grand room, comparable with the Haelling Cove throne room, but tonight only one table was set, decorated with an unopened bottle of bloodberry wine and three sets of cutlery.

Two servants stood at attention before the kitchen door at the far side of the room. The Dukes sat at our table, but upon my arrival they stood and welcomed me. Timoth arrived moments behind me, and, after exchanging some initial pleasantries with the Dukes, we sat opposite from them. I folded my napkin on my lap as I had been taught, and sat up straight in my chair. I had to be careful not to spill any of my food on my white dress.

'The chef here is particularly skilled at preparing poultry, so I've instructed him to serve us Helmfirth's best quail to mark the importance of the occasion,' Wiseria said. Then, almost as an afterthought, 'I hope you are fond of quail.'

'We are,' I said, though I was not sure I'd ever been served it before. Even my family’s position had been unable to change what foods the farmlands of the Reach were best suited for cultivating.

Silence reigned for a moment, and I took the opportunity to ask one of the questions that had been plaguing me since our introduction. 'Is there no Duchess of Trent?'

Everyone at the table visibly stiffened, and I instantly sensed that my words had been improper. I hadn’t thought they would be, especially as they could be interpreted in two ways: I could have been asking about Wilbern's mother, or else I could have been asking whether he had suitors to become the next Duchess.

Timoth put his hand on my forearm and said, 'it doesn't matter.'

His tone was apologetic, and I felt that he was trying to make things right on my behalf. Belittling me as a mere child so that any diplomatic incident could be laid to rest on the grounds of my immaturity. His words maddened me, but my anger was tempered by my own anxiety at the Dukes' reactions. I wished I'd learnt about their family history before setting out, as it had been part of my education at Haelling Cove.

'No, it's okay, Count,' Wiseria said. Wilbern still looked uncomfortable, and I hoped I hadn't upset him. Wiseria continued, 'Wilbern's mother died about a year ago, if that was your meaning. And if you referred to that Wilbern is, as yet, unwed, then my only answer is that he has not yet seen fit to leave Trent to pursue a suitable lady.'

I noticed that Timoth jerked his head when Wiseria spoke of his wife's death, as if the news had been unexpected. I also noticed that Wiseria's tone made the second statement a rebuke against his son.

'Father,' Wilbern said, 'is it not best that I learn from you how to govern so that I might have something to show potential suitors?'

'Every day you wait here is another day for a noblewoman to wed someone else,' Wiseria replied. 'Take Countess Saemara here, for example.' I was instantly uncomfortable. 'She travels to Hollowhold, no doubt to make herself known to the most powerful noblemen in the Kingdom. You are my heir, Wilbern, and it is important that you create heirs of your own. If you stay at Helmfirth, she will no doubt find herself wed to some Prince or Duke and you'll have missed out on the opportunity of courting Saemara. Just an example, of course.'

It was my turn to stiffen, but I was not invited to speak yet. It was merely a hypothetical scenario, of course.

Wilbern said, 'and every day that passes is another day for girls of noble birth to become women. There is no shortage of unwed noblewomen.'

'Would it not be best to find one within a few years of your own age?' Wiseria asked.

Timoth took advantage of the opportunity to respond to Wiseria's previous statement.

'Countess Saemara is only sixteen,' he said. I suspect that he intended to defend me from Wiseria's example, which seemed to posit myself as a potential bride for his son, but in reality Timoth had spoken in favour of Wilbern. I was quickly seeing how such conversations could be a minefield.

'Your own example turned against you, Father,' Wilbern said. 'If I spend two years learning from you, young women such as the Countess will still be available.'

'Perhaps,' Wiseria acceded. Then, scarily, he turned to face me. 'Is not part of the reason you have been sent to Hollowhold, at five years Wilbern's junior, to learn the ways of the realm and familiarise yourself with potential suitors?'

I gulped, and then nodded slowly. 'Yes, that's true.'

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Wiseria continued. 'Perhaps you should journey with the Count and Countess, to Hollowhold. You would share their mission, and you could be of service to them. You know the roads through Trent better than most.'

Wilbern went to speak – I think to protest – but to my surprise, Timoth responded first. 'That would be greatly appreciated. We encountered some, ah, some problems, in the Dreadwood Forest. I would not care to repeat the experience.'

'Whatever possessed you to enter the Dreadwood Forest?' Wiseria asked.

His face was a mixture of astonishment and confusion. I suddenly realised how small Haelling Cove was, that we were scarcely able to separate fact from fiction when it came to the lands beyond the Reach. Wiseria's expression told me that the nymphs and the faeries were all too real to him. Perhaps this was part of the reason Father had sent me on this mission: to experience the rest of the world; to learn to discern myth from reality.

'I thought we could save time. I thought the stories were just that: stories. Childrens’ tales,' Timoth said. I noticed that he used the word “I” rather than “we”, shouldering the blame for what had befallen us in those woods. I supposed that was fair, given that the rest of us had begged to turn back after our encounter with the nymphs, yet it was only too easy to recall that one of our casualties had come about as a result of my actions, and not Timoth's.

'The creatures of the forest,' Wiseria began. He spat the word “creatures”, as if the word itself sickened him. 'They care not for the lives of humans. Many of them feed off human life, in fact. Some of them seek to protect their forest, and will take even the smallest violation as the most grievous of crimes. And some simply want to kill, for they are evil and share nothing in common with men. Only the foolhardiest of merchants take the Dreadwood Forest road, hoping to outpace their competitors. Few attempt it a second time.'

His words sent tremors through my body, and I felt a resurgence of my anger at Timoth.

'Well, we made it,' I said, as if protecting Timoth. I sighed. Why did I feel the need to look out for my brother, even when his judgement had put me in harm's way?

'For which I am most grateful,' Wilbern said. 'Would you care for some wine?' He stood and uncorked the bottle, and began filling his father's glass.

'Yes, please,' Timoth said, and Wilbern poured into his glass. Wilbern turned to me, but Timoth said, 'she is a child.'

'Yet I did not make the decision to ride through the Dreadwood Forest,' I replied harshly. I had intended to stun him, for I did not want to seem a child in Wilbern's eyes. I turned to the Duke and said, 'half a glass, please.'

He hesitated, but then poured as I had asked. I dared not look at Timoth.

Servants brought out a well-cooked quail garnished with leaves and herbs. I sipped the wine, my first taste of the substance, and found it unexpectedly bitter. I braced myself for my second taste with the knowledge gained from the first, and this time I was able to enjoy it. The strong flavour of bloodberry reminded me of home. I wondered if this would signal the end of my preference for the juice, in favour of the wine fermented from the same fruit.

We talked some more, and things became more relaxed as the stomachs of the men were filled. At first there were no further disagreements, butas we finished our meals the conversation returned to Wilbern's reclusiveness.

To my surprise, it was Timoth who broached the topic. Perhaps he shouldn't have had that second glass of wine.

'So, Wilbern,' he said. 'What do you say? Would you like to accompany us to Hollowhold?'

Wilbern frowned at first, and I thought he would refuse. Then, after a moment's contemplation, his face relaxed and became a smile. I recalled that he had also poured himself a second glass of wine, and wondered if it was having an effect on him.

‘It would be my pleasure…’ he said, ‘if the lady Saemara were to invite me herself.'

His intentions were obvious, even to me. It wasn't just that he was attracted to me; it was a broad message to each person at the table.

To his father, Wilbern declared his independence. That he would go to Hollowhold for himself and not because Wiseria had wished it.

To Timoth, he meant that he would go, but only if my brother would let him work his charms on me unopposed.

And to me, he intended flattery. To make me think that the sole reason for his accompanying us was because he wanted to be with me. He lacked the charisma and the overt charm of Khad, but he knew his position. He was the heir of an important Duchy, one which lay near to Ebonreach, and he could show us to Hollowhold safely. He knew that we would be fools to refuse his offer.

All eyes turned to me, and I was only too happy to be the centre of attention. I smiled and looked unflinchingly into Wilbern’s grey eyes.

'I would be most pleased if you could accompany us on our jouney to Hollowhold. Perhaps, if we find that we enjoy each other's company, you might choose to stay awhile in the capital.'

I added the last both out of politeness, as well as a fear of being alone in the capital. Timoth and I had been getting along less than perfectly of late, and Daegwin was hardly any comfort all.

My words seemed to please both Wilbern and Wiseria. The latter responded, 'it's settled then. Wilbern, pack your things and have your horse ready for the morning. I'll provide you with a retinue.'

'I had best excuse myself then,’ Wilbern said, nodding. ‘I have many matters to attend to before we depart. I am grateful for your invitation,' he said, looking at me. Then he turned to the servants at the kitchen door, 'my compliments to the chef for a fantastic meal, as always.'

We farewelled Wilbern knowing that we would be seeing him again on the other side of night, and finished our meals and gave thanks to Wiseria for his gracious hospitality.