Chapter Fifteen

We sailed on through the day and into the night, and when we made landfall it was on our home shore and in darkness. Once at sea, it had become quickly clear that it would be Liam who was in charge from now on, and at the end it was he who directed the boatman by means of precise gestures to a wild stretch of coastland apparently peopled only by wind-battered vegetation and scattered stones. Cormack lifted me out of the boat, and Conor took my bag, and there were the seven of us, standing in the cool of the night on the ground of Erin once more. The small boat vanished away into the darkness with a faint splashing.

My brothers had not been sick. They had enjoyed themselves, almost. Between spasms of retching, I had had time to see the glow of excitement on Padriac’s face as he was allowed a turn at the tiller, as he took his place with sail or oar. Not that my brothers were unfamiliar with little boats; a family of boys does not live so long close to a great lake and not teach itself some skills in going by water. But this was different. I could see in Padriac’s face a vision of far wider seas, a yearning for wild adventure and mysterious lands beyond the reach of maps. I read in his eyes a reflection of what I had seen long ago, when he released the owl from his glove and she spiraled up, up into the endless sky. And I heard Finbar’s inner voice. Soon enough he, too, will fly away. My brother sat silent in the boat, his dark cloak not quite concealing the sweep of white feathers. Be glad of Padriac’s joy. For this homecoming cannot be a triumph.

We had been well provisioned by the household of Harrowfield, and once we had reached the shelter of a patch of woodland, my brothers made camp with the quiet efficiency of long practice. A small lantern was lit, and shielded so that its light spread no further than the little grove where we sat.

“No fire,” said Liam. “Not tonight. And we will not seek horses, though I am eager for home. It is best that we arrive unannounced, and on foot.”

“Sorcha will be tired.” Conor was keeping a close eye on me; watching that I finished every mouthful of the barley bread and bean curd he had given me. “It is a long way; four or five days’ journey, even for us.”

Liam frowned. “These Britons will pay for what they have done to our sister. But that must wait. We have more pressing business.”

“My hands itch for the sorceress’ neck.” Diarmid clenched and unclenched his fists. “Cannot we ride there openly, and see justice done swiftly? I would tell our tale to all, and make the lady Oonagh pay the penalty where all can witness it.”

“You’re too hasty,” said Cormack, breaking off a piece of his bread and chewing thoughtfully. “We don’t know anything about what’s happened at Sevenwaters yet. Liam’s right. We can’t just rush in with swords raised. That approach tends to lead to slaughter, and not always of your enemy.”