“Everything fading, my heart about to burst, everything turning to dark. So weak, oh gods, so weak—I could do nothing against the press of his hand. A sudden scream—yours, Sibeal—and my assailant struck out, but still he held me. The fire flared strangely, I saw shadows leaping above me, and the pressure was gone . . . I rolled from pallet to floor, and there you were, Sibeal, crouched, hurt. I had been scared before, with his fingers on my neck. The wheels of the Ankou’s cart were creaking just outside the door. Now I really knew fear.

“You rose to your feet, like a brave warrior, and confronted Knut with the truth. He said it was all a mistake, but he lied, for as he spoke he drew his knife and moved toward you. I did not stop to think. I was there, standing between the two of you, hoping I could be strong for long enough. Then, welcome as warm sun at midwinter, came Gull. The door creaked, he called to us, Knut slashed with his knife, one, two. My head struck something as I fell. I lost consciousness. When I woke . . . ” He shivered convulsively. “When I woke, it was there in my mind, the memory that has eluded me for so long. There is a tale to tell, a tale to make men weep. Before morning, that tale must be told.” Felix looked across at Knut, whose face was like stone. “We have done a terrible thing,” he said. “We have betrayed our comrades. Knut would have killed to keep that tale from coming out.” He lowered his eyes. “A strange twist, Sibeal. Until he cut me, until I struck my head in falling, I had not remembered the story he so feared.”

For a little, then, there was utter silence in the infirmary, save for the distant, restless wash of the sea.

“Thank you, Felix,” Johnny said. “We’d best hear this tale of yours.” He looked around the circle of watchers: Cathal with his shoulder against the wall, long form wrapped in his cloak; Muirrin and Evan seated together on one side of the hearth, Gull on the other beside Felix, I cross-legged on the mat. Grim Knut with his two tall guardians. The firelight flickered on the circle of somber faces. “Is there anyone else you believe should be present to hear it?” Johnny asked.

Felix shook his head. Johnny looked at me and gave a little nod.

“Felix,” I said, still finding it quite odd to use this name, “where does this tale begin? With the departure of the ship from Ulfricsfjord, or earlier? Will you tell us what brought you and your brother to Erin?”