In fact, the boy seemed to regret having opened his mouth in the first place and was now making up for his lapse by a studied muteness. Even so, five miles wasn’t far to travel on a fresh and rested horse—even mostly uphill, since Goginan lay at the base of the mountains and was the site of a silver and lead mine, an important source of income for Hywel. Because of the trade to and from Aberystwyth, the road upon which they traveled was well maintained, and as Gareth had hoped, they reached the village while it was still twilight. Fychan guided them to the home of Gryff’s (other) wife, Carys. As Gareth dismounted, she was sitting on a stool outside her house, watching two small children playing in the dirt. One was the age of Tangwen, and the second was a year or two older. At the sight of Gareth and Fychan coming towards her, Carys stood, her brow furrowing. Recognizing Gareth’s station by his sword, gear, and fine horse, she bobbed a curtsey. “What brings you to Goginan, my lord?”
