I have so longed to eat a proper meal. Now I scarcely taste the wedge of bread, the cup of watered goat’s milk. My mind is reeling. A trap; fate has laid a trap for me. Sibeal’s words froze my heart. I saw on Johnny’s face, and on Gull’s, the same horror. I cannot argue with the runes. But Sibeal out in those seas, Sibeal in that godforsaken place, Sibeal in the claws of the monster . . . I see how it would be, and I shrink from it, body and mind. What if, in my desperate quest to save my companions, I draw my most precious friend, my light, my treasure, to a hideous, bloody death? I would die rather than see her hurt.

If I do not go, she need not go. But I must go. I must do my best to put right the evil thing that was done. If the least chance exists that any man still clings to life on that isle, I must find him. I must bring him home.

There was death in the runes. I did not think it might be hers.

“Eat up,” says Gull, yawning. “We must at least attempt sleep before dawn, and you’ll rest better with some good food inside you.”

I cannot say what I am thinking. I cannot tell Sibeal I do not want her to come. The runes do not lie. To question them is to doubt her integrity as a seer. “Do you think he will do it?” I ask instead. “Will he help me?”

“Only Johnny can answer that,” says Gull. “He believes you, all right; I could see that, though he won’t say so plainly until he’s decided how to proceed. As a leader of fighting men, Johnny’s made his share of tough decisions. He won’t put his men in peril for a hopeless cause, however desperately you need that to happen. Say he does decide to go ahead with a rescue attempt for these poor fellows. Nothing much can be done before Liadan gets back. Then there’s the matter of a crew. I’d expect him to ask for volunteers, and not all men will be free to put their hands up. Johnny himself won’t go, for a multitude of reasons. Cathal can’t go. Not only is his wife about to give birth to their first child, but there are certain factors that bind him to Inis Eala. It’s not safe for him beyond the island. Any man who’s tied up in training the Connacht men must stay here while our visitors are with us. That rules out quite a few of the most capable among us. Johnny won’t let such an expedition set out unless he’s convinced the crew’s adequate to the task. He’d be asking people to put themselves in great peril. Not that the fellows here are averse to risk, but this . . . ”