“Tho yer Da knew it not…” Ladee says, and I tremble. My eyes begin to water. My Da, who was my Da? I have another sister, a living one!

Then, without understanding why, I suddenly become angry. “Who are you, to tell me about me Da? What do ye know of him? Me Da is the land, me Da is a stranger of the House of Coirpre. Me Mam was drunk, an’ couldn’a keep her legs closed long enough t’ask his name. He weren’t Coirpre, like she thought for years. P’haps he’s ol’ Niall hisself? Would tha’ make me Ard-Righ or you Ard-Rian? Hah! Good for you! Your father’s a king, your mother’s a queen, so where’s your kingdom?” Tears are streaming down my face.

It’s not fair for me to be lashing out at Ladee, who has no idea of the pain of this lack of knowledge has been to me, but I cannot stop myself. I can no more hold the words in my mouth than I can smoke in my hand.

“P’haps he was just the stablemaster. Did your Queen say who he was, perchance, my Lady Ladee? Or was she too drunk to remember as well!”