“Father,” I said, “you do know, don’t you, that the knowledge Cathal gave me about the Glencarnagh raid arose from a scrying vision? Mac Dara is powerful enough to alter Cathal’s visions to suit his own needs. All he wanted was to get Cathal in trouble so he’d have to leave our household and go off into the forest on his own.” I wondered, as I spoke, whether the new Cathal, the one who could change the moods of a raging river, would ever be tricked in that way again.

“Sibeal was at pains to explain Cathal’s talents as a seer to me when I rode to the nemetons to fetch my son.” Father glanced down at the sleeping baby, and his severe expression softened. “I also exchanged certain words with Ciarán, who seems to share your faith in Cathal’s integrity, as does Johnny. But it’s essential that we hear from Cathal himself. We need all the detail he can provide for us.”

Mother set aside her embroidery and took my hands in hers.

“We owe you an immense debt, your father and I,” she said. “This has been a testing time for us, but that is nothing to what you have been through; you and this young man whom I’ve barely met. Sean, you should probably go down and put in an appearance, just to reassure your guests that all is well. Clodagh must have a bath and a short rest now. I insist.”

“Of course,” muttered Father. “I’m sorry, Daughter; I’ve been inconsiderate. This matter with Illann has been . . . it’s been difficult.” He put a thumb and finger to the bridge of his nose, a sure sign that his head was aching. “In fact, I find myself wishing the lot of them would go home so I could sit here with you for the rest of the day. Yours is a most extraordinary story. You’ve shown exceptional courage, and I regret most bitterly that I did not listen to you from the start. Having you safely back home is more than I deserve, my dear. Your mother’s right; I must go.” He kissed me on the cheek, then left.

“You’ll need a salve for those cuts, Clodagh,” Muirrin said, turning her professional eye on my face. “I’ll fetch you something from the stillroom and leave it in your chamber, shall I? And I’ll check whether your bath water’s ready.”

When my sister was gone, Mother said quietly, “You’ve risked a great deal for this young man, Clodagh. When you speak his name, I see something in your eyes that reminds me of the way I felt when I grew old enough to realize that your father was no longer my childhood playmate but had become a fine man. Tell me, my dear. Is it true what Sibeal told us? Do you really love Cathal?”