They were all leaving. It was ad changing. There was still no word from Diarmid and Cormack, no news of their quest nor of the lady Oonagh or her child, though I knew Liam had sent messengers and made enquiries from Tara to Tirconnell. In my heart I feared for them, and I thought I saw the same fear reflected on my father’s face. And now Padriac was building a boat, down by the lake. We didn’t see much of him, or the lads that were helping him. It was a pity, he said, not to be able to fly, not that he really remembered it, not properly, but he now knew there were wider lands, and farther seas to explore, and that was what he would do, when his craft was ready. He looked at maps, and made charts, and studied old books. I remembered what Finbar had said once about this youngest brother. He will go far. Farther than any of us. I had not thought this was what he meant. And he was so young; too young, I told him, to think of sailing away and leaving us.

“I’m older than you,” Padriac pointed out. “And you’re having a baby. That makes me an uncle. I must be old enough.”

For I was, indeed, with child. She would be born near the festival of Meán Fómhair, the autumn equinox; and I knew she would have hair the bright copper of the beech leaves. Red was anxious, with a tendency to fuss over me as if I were some delicate plant to be sheltered from all harm. I laughed at him, but I did as he asked. Spring came and the weather grew balmy, and still there was no news. Then one day my father set out on a journey of his own.

“My boys have not returned,” he said. “It is for me, now, to seek them and to return them safe here, all three. This is my quest,” he added as first one and then another offered to go with him. “In bringing them home I may undo some of the wrongs I have laid on my family. I leave you in good hands, my daughter,” he said, kissing me on the cheek and clasping Red by the arm in a brief, strong grip. “My household is well governed, and my people protected. It is time for me to say my farewells.” He touched his cheek to Liam’s and grasped his hand, and he embraced Padriac, and then he was gone, vanishing down the track in the plain workman’s clothes he had chosen, and I hoped he would not find the trail too cold, where his little son had been taken.