“I know Svala’s behavior is strange. But I don’t believe she’s out of her wits, Clodagh. When we were down there, just for a moment I felt the force of her grief, and it was overwhelming. I know she lost her son; I know how terrible that must be. But I wonder if something else lies in her past, something more than the shipwreck and her son’s death. I sense there’s a story that needs to be told, and that until it comes out, we won’t be able to help her.”

“If there were, why wouldn’t Knut have told it? It’s not as if Svala can tell us in words.”

It was a reasonable question. “Maybe it’s something only she knows about. Or Knut could know more than he’s chosen to tell.”

“If you’re right,” Clodagh mused, “it could be tied up with Ardal. Perhaps when he regains his memory it will all come out, whatever it is.”

“Maybe.”

“You know what the men are saying, don’t you?” Clodagh gave me her basket to hold as we negotiated a stile. “That he has brought ill luck to the island. That wherever he goes, he casts a shadow.”

“Ardal?” This shocked me. Cathal had not suggested the talk of portents and omens was associated with anyone in particular. “Why would they think that?”

“I don’t know, Sibeal. Don’t sound so upset; it’s probably just idle talk. Maybe it was the odd way he was found, or the fact that he reached shore alive at all after such a long time in the water. The shipwreck unsettled everyone. Folk are edgy. It’s not just Cathal who wishes he had done more, it’s all of them. They don’t like to see men lost when there’s a chance to save them. If so many perished so quickly, they’re saying, why did that one man survive, especially after so long in the water? Then there was the freak storm that caused the wreck; there are plenty of theories about that.”

“You mean people are saying it was Ardal’s presence on board that made the sea carry Freyja onto the rocks? What do they think he is, an evil spirit?”

“They just think he brings bad luck, Sibeal. Don’t look so worried. They’ll realize soon enough that there’s no foundation for such superstitions.”

~Felix~

She is troubled. Nothing outward; her voice is controlled, her features are grave and composed. But something disturbs her; I see it in her eyes.