“Not at all,” Cadfael said eagerly. “My heart has never been better!” His broad grin made that quite clear.
“Pleased to hear that, my lad. So, what is it that draws you here, then?”
Alun stepped forward. “We need to reach the court of Merfyn Frych. Do you know where it is?”
“After what has happened on our isle over recent times, nothing is certain. First, the cow plague, then four years of b****y war. It made me wonder if God had forsaken the land. Anyway, when I was a lad your age, a decisive battle meant that Cynan was king no more, and his foe Hywel didn’t take the throne either. The throne and the llys – that is, the court, went to Merfyn. I’ve heard that he’s none too keen to remain in Llanfaes and is casting his eyes over the old fortification on the river Ffraw. Now, that would b
