“Under the circumstances that would be foolhardy,” I said. “If it comes back I’ll negotiate. There must be some way to bargain so these folk will guide both of us on. I’m sorry I struck you, Cathal.”

“Any time.”

“We should move on,” I said. “This place seems to breed sadness.” As I spoke, a memory stirred dimly. Something about sorrow and sadness. Something about a pathway. Where had I heard that? Was it possible my state of despondency was less to do with shock, exhaustion and fear, and more to do with exactly where we were? Perhaps Cathal’s attack of self-doubt had the same cause.

“That field, with the herbs,” I said. “The smell made us sleepy; it made us both want to stop trying. And now we’re feeling sad and wretched. Maybe all we need to do is move forward, get out of here.” I rose to my feet. “We must keep walking, Cathal. And we must stop fighting each other. I think this spot may have a charm over it, something that makes people feel despondent and hopeless.”

Cathal said nothing, but he got up too, and when I had gathered Becan we set off again along the pathway. For a while, a long while, the pervasive gloom oppressed us, the shadows clung deep and grim around us, the forest remained dark and dank as before, though from time to time now I heard a distant, eerie cry. I could not tell if it was made by a bird or an animal or something far stranger. There was a piercing, edgy note in it that filled my heart with sorrow. I tried whistling a tune to keep up my spirits, but it faded into nothing almost before it left my lips. Becan’s sleep was fitful. When I glanced down at him, it seemed to me his twiggy cheeks were sunken and his pebble eyes clouded, as if he were starting to slip away from me. Perhaps I had been foolish to think my efforts had saved his life. No, I must stop thinking that way. It was only a charm; a charm of despair. I would not give in to it.

A few paces ahead of me Cathal came to a sudden halt. I almost crashed into him.

“What?” I said.

“It’s opening up.” He took a step forward. “And look, there, it’s almost like a hall, something man-made.”