I took one step inside the infirmary door and halted, staring. I had walked into a silence so charged with unease that it made my skin prickle. Svala stood by the far wall, clad in an assortment of wet garments, a shirt, a pair of men’s trousers. Her long hair hung over her shoulders and down to her knees. Her eyes were fixed on Muirrin, who stood three paces from her with a cloth in her hands. Every part of Svala was tense; my body felt her urgent need for flight. Before I could say a word Muirrin took a step toward the Norsewoman, and a sound came from Svala that made the hairs on my neck stand on end, a growling noise from deep in the throat, as if she would launch herself at my sister to rend and bite. Muirrin retreated, her face turning pale.

I cleared my throat, unsure if either had seen me come in. Svala’s gaze was instantly on me, and my head began to throb. Danu aid me, what was this?

“Sibeal!” The relief in Muirrin’s voice was unmistakable. “I was just . . . ” She came over to draw me aside, speaking in a murmur. “I can’t even get her to take off her wet things. It’s as if she wants to attack me. She’s cold and shocked; I need to get her warm. She won’t let me near her.”

“I thought Evan and Jouko were here. And Knut.” The place was empty save for the two women.

“I sent them out into the garden so Svala could wash and change. I have some things of Biddy’s here for her to put on. We got Knut to explain to her before the men went out. I thought maybe if she was alone with me . . . ” She lowered her voice still further. “Something really terrible happened, Sibeal. Their son, Knut’s and Svala’s, only four years old . . . he was with them on the boat. Knut told us. She must be out of her mind with grief. She hasn’t spoken a word. Sibeal, will you try to talk to her?”

Without turning toward her, I knew Svala was staring at me. I felt the power of her gaze; I felt her sorrow as I had felt the terror of those folk drowning out on the bay. A little child, the same age as my brother, Finbar. The thought of it made my heart clench tight. “I can’t speak Norse,” I said, knowing this was something I must attempt. A job for a druid.

“You’ll surely do better than I did,” Muirrin said. “At least she’s looking at you as if she sees you.”