He shrugged. “A hunch,” he said.

“Like the one that told you Glencarnagh was going to be attacked.”

“Mm-hm. Does it matter? You wanted to be here and you’re here. Cold and wet, underdressed, with a few scars you’d probably rather not have, but in the land of the Tuatha De Danann. At least, one supposes that is where we are.” For a moment I saw a look of deep disquiet on his face. He masked it quickly, his features assuming a bland expression.

“Why is that so easy for you to believe now, when you scorned the very existence of such folk back at the keep?” I asked him.

Another shrug.

“Stop doing that!” I snapped, making Becan wail in fright. “Shh, shh,” I whispered, lifting the baby up against my shoulder while trying to keep the cloak modestly around me.

“Stop doing what?”

“Refusing to answer me properly. Acting as if nothing in the past matters. Pretending it wasn’t completely mad for you to come here with me. Not explaining why you’re doing anything at all. What about you and Aidan? Didn’t you see his expression when we set off from the shore? He looked as if we were breaking his heart. How can you be so . . . so detached about it all?”

He had unpacked his little cook pot and set it on the flames. It already held water, and now he produced a small harvest of mushrooms, which he proceeded to break into the pot. The silence drew out between us as the brew came to the boil and a savory smell arose, making me realize how hungry I was. Cathal added a handful of greenery to the mixture and stirred it. Eventually he looked up, meeting my eye across the fire. “The shirt I was wearing is almost dry,” he said. “Here.” The garment was hanging from a bush; he took it down and tossed it in my general direction. “Bear in mind,” he added, “that I’ve already seen you with a lot less on than that, and don’t let it trouble you too much. I’m bone weary after that river crossing and I haven’t the least inclination to take advantage of you.”

I looked at him a moment, then said, “Thank you.”

“It’s not altruism,” Cathal said. “If we’re attacked again, it’s going to help if you have both hands free to defend yourself. The requirement to keep your modesty shielded with a cloak would make that difficult. I want you to keep one of my knives, Clodagh. We can’t know what’s coming, but after that episode with the bats, or whatever they were, I think we can assume we’re not entirely welcome here. What are you going to do if these people won’t give your brother back?”