“Please, Cathal! Forget them, just get us to the other side. Ahh!” A swoop, a dive. Something sharp drew a line across my brow. Blood filled my eyes, blinding me. I hunched myself over Becan and muttered an incoherent prayer. The raft seemed to be moving more quickly now; Cathal had seen the wisdom in my words and was concentrating on hauling us over.

“Off, vermin!” he shouted. I felt sharp pain on the back of my neck, then across my arm, through the fabric of cloak and shirt. “Off!” And then, “Clodagh, here!” He was offering me the knife. The raft was dancing about on the water; I grabbed the weapon with difficulty. Cathal put his hand back on the rope and we steadied. “Try to fend them off,” he said, his tone calm, his eyes far less so.

“It’s not far now,” I whispered, wondering if I might faint and knowing I could not possibly afford to do so. Cathal was only in this mess because of me. As for Becan, I was all he had. “I’m fine. Really.” Brighid help me, the way the raft was rocking I’d as likely stick the knife into Cathal himself as land a blow on one of the attackers.

The things came again, three in formation, swooping low. They were aiming for me and me alone. With my left arm around the baby, I held the knife in my right hand, waving it more or less at random, for my head was muzzy now, my vision blurring. “Get off!” I yelled. As battle cries went, it was hardly impressive, but this time the creatures passed without making a mark on me.

“Good girl,” I heard Cathal say. “Firm grip; keep your arm relaxed. Be ready for them.”

I was, next time. The three dived toward me. I slashed with purpose and felt the weapon connect. There was an eldritch shriek as the wounded creature veered away from the raft, its companions creaking heavily after it. Their dark shapes merged into the gray obscurity of the rain. My hand relaxed on the dagger, then tightened again. I must not drop it. If one thing was sure, it was that we’d need a weapon on the other side. Cathal’s tall form wavered before my eyes. The bank was closer now, but I could see it only as a shadowy blur. I thought maybe I was crying, or perhaps it was the blood.

“Clodagh!” Cathal’s voice was sharp. “Don’t faint, stay with me! I can’t help you now, but we’re nearly there. Hold onto the child; do your job.”