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now,’ Nott said as he first poured, then passed a whisky to Martil.
    Martil decided to break the silence.
    ‘So, looking after young children, is that the sort of thing you do often?’
    Nott smiled sadly. ‘Karia was only the second. The first was her mother.’
    Martil sipped his drink. ‘Her mother?’
    ‘Aye. My wife had just died and we had not been blessed with children during our marriage. I did not know why, and Aroaril would not answer my prayers on the subject. Then this baby was abandoned, given over to my care. I saw it as part of a grand plan. This, obviously, was the reason why I had never had children, so I would be free to look after this one. She was a beautiful child and grew into a beautiful woman. Too beautiful for these parts. I’d had such hopes for her.’
    Nott paused and Martil saw him struggle to contain his emotions.
    ‘Foolish pride. The decent men around here would not go near her. All thought she was too good just to work the fields. Instead, to my dismay, it was a roguish farmer called Edil who charmed her. You may not have seen that when you met him, but he could talk the birds out of the trees, had he the wish.’
    Martil nodded. ‘I could see that. He spoke like no ordinary bandit, kept me talking even when I knew it was a trap. An inexperienced girl…’ he broke off as he realised he was about to talk about Nott’s adopted daughter.
    But Nott just grunted his acknowledgement. ‘Then you understand. Against my better judgement, aye, and my wishes, they were married. He had tempted her with talk of silk and jewels, he had dazzled her with tales of Norstalos City. She wanted more than avillage life. He promised her the world. What he gave her was a servant’s existence out at his farm, and a child who killed her, despite all my efforts.’
    Nott stopped and took a sip of drink before he continued. ‘Mara, Karia’s mother, was made to keep working through her pregnancy. She nearly lost the child and I had to beg Aroaril to give me the power to save them. I thought my prayer had been granted but it was more subtle than that. You know of a priest’s powers?’
    Martil nodded. ‘You can ask Aroaril for magic. If you and the request are worthy, Aroaril will grant you power to heal people, bring rain to dry fields, all sorts of things.’
    ‘So you did listen in church. But Aroaril works to a plan that none of us can imagine. He saved the mother, but only so He could save the child. Mara’s lifeforce brought Karia into the world but there was not enough left to save her.’
    ‘What nonsense is that, Father? Surely Aroaril can do anything He wants.’ Martil felt especially sensitive to stories of divine intervention. He had heard far too many tales that Aroaril was going to come down and save Rallora from the invading Berellians to put much stock in them.
    ‘One thing I have learned is that His plans are not for the likes of us to know. And they are mocked at your peril.’ His voice was mild but Nott’s steely gaze left Martil in no doubt this was a dangerous subject. Understandably enough, Martil thought. You watch the girl you raised as a daughter die giving birth to your granddaughter and the God you have served all your life refuses your pleas to save her.
    Nott continued. ‘Of course Edil had no use for a baby on the farm. So she was left with me. Karia isa special girl. In my foolish pride—again! You would think I had learned—I boasted of her abilities, and word of it reached Edil’s ears. He wanted her back, for he thought she could help provide for him. He threatened to go to my bishop over it…I could not stand in his way, despite her tears. Now I see her here and I wonder if this was part of Aroaril’s plan.’
    Martil could see the conversation going down a worrying road.
    ‘It seems to me that He was testing you and now the circle is complete, she is back in your care,’ he suggested.
    ‘It is not that simple,’ Nott said heavily. ‘You are no ordinary