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If Cadwaladr cooperated, a scribe could take down the names, but it would be a tedious, likely futile, endeavor. Leif tried another approach.

“Your dagger was found at the scene of the murder. If, as you claim, it was wielded by another, when was the last time you remember it being in your possession?”

“At Dinefwr Castle.” Cadwaladr responded without hesitation. “A few members of the uchelwr had gathered to celebrate Anarawd’s upcoming marriage. Two days before his murder, we went hunting in the forest north of the castle. I had the knife with me then. Hywel ap Owain rode with me that day, and he commented on the fine etching on the cross guard.”

“The same etching that identified the knife as yours when Anarawd ap Gruffydd was discovered dead,” Leif guessed.

“It boasted a unique design,” Cadwaladr said. “It was made by a bladesmith from Dyflin.”

Leif raised his eyebrows but translated Cadwaladr’s information without comment. His father’s eyes flashed.

“So the fatal wound was administered by a Viking blade.”

“Your craftsmen are unparalleled,” Cadwaladr said. “That knightly sword was weighted better than any other blade I have owned.” His hand instinctively moved to his belt, but it was empty. “The knife was missing the day after the hunt. I have been using the poor substitute your guards seized from me since then.”

If someone had taken Cadwaladr’s knife with the intent of using it to incriminate him, it was likely that the narrow window of time was purposeful. Cadwaladr would have had little opportunity to spread word abroad that he was missing his weapon.

“According to my son’s report, there is no doubt of your guilt in the mind of Owain Gwynedd. I would be a fool to side against the king in a situation such as this,” Leif’s father said.

“Someone at Dinefwr Castle knows the truth. If you would but send someone to Deheubarth to ask amongst the servants at the castle—”

“Enough!” The last of Leif’s father’s patience had fled. “I sent two men on a fool’s errand. I will not repeat the meaningless endeavor.”

Panic flickered across Cadwaladr’s face. “I shall double the reward,” he said. “Two thousand head of cattle.”

Leif’s father snorted. “With no land or possessions, you have nothing to offer as payment. You already owe me one thousand head for sending men to Ongullsey. How do you propose to pay that?”

“My brother will reinstate all that I have lost when he learns of my innocence.”

“And if he does not?”

Cadwaladr refused to contemplate such a thing. “This shall be my final request. If no proof is found at Dinefwr Castle, you may do with me as you wish.”

“What I wish is to have you gone from Dyflin,” Leif’s father growled. “And it shall be done. You and your men are to be away from here by sunset.” He turned to the nearest guard. “Take him back to his men, and have their poor excuse for a boat made ready.”

“Jarl Ottar.” Cadwaladr stood his ground as a guard approached. “Have someone search Dinefwr for the servants who claim they saw my men leave the castle on horseback the night of the murder. I was roused from my bed by one of my men who told me that two riders wearing my coat of arms were seen escaping the castle. I tell you now they were not my men. The distinctive tunics of checkered red and gold were worn to implicate me.”

“Even if that were true, such evidence would be burned or buried by now,” Leif’s father said.

Cadwaladr clenched his fists. “Someone saw something, I am sure of it.”

Leif’s father looked away. “Seize him.”

The guard stepped closer, but Cadwaladr turned on his heel and started for the door unaided.

Leif waited until the door closed behind him before speaking.

“I am willing to go to Deheubarth,” he said.

“It’s a waste of time,” his father responded. “No Cymry would confide a secret to a Norseman that had the potential to rattle the very foundations of the uchelwr. The hostility between our nations precludes it.”

“I wish to try,” he said.

“Why?”

“To uncover the truth.”

“In this instance, the truth matters not,” his father said. “Once Cadwaladr leaves Dyflin, his fate is not our responsibility.”