I scanned the rock face above us, searching for markers. There was the high tide point. Get the man onto the ledge just above it, and all I need do was keep him warm and wait for someone to come looking for me. As a plan it was somewhat lacking, but a definite improvement on waiting down here until we both drowned. I looked around the tiny strip of pebbles, seeking other answers, and my gaze fell on the length of wood I had noticed before. It had surely been part of the Norse ship, for carven along its elegant curve were runic signs, no doubt placed there to keep vessel and crew safe from harm. Today’s storm had been too strong for any protective talisman.

Runes. Divination. Hidden meanings. From one wave to the next, I fixed my eyes on the carven symbols. “Manannán, send me wisdom,” I prayed. “You’ve brought him this far. You must mean him to survive. Show me how to do my part.”

The next wave washed in. It moved the man forward on the strand and a sound came from him, a deep groan. The water retreated. It had scattered pebbles across the carven wood, touching Lagu, Nyd, Eh. Three runes, and only a heartbeat of time to interpret them. Water, tides. Inner strength. A problem to be solved, a tool to be found. I was too weak to lift a man, but the sea could do it for me. “Get up!” I shouted as the man stirred, shifting on the pebbles. “Quick!”

He dragged himself up to his knees. I crouched beside him and lifted his arm over my shoulders. Let me be strong enough to hold him against the tide. Gods give me fortitude.

“Hold on. When the next wave comes we’re going to stand up. Ready?”

A sound from him, more of a grunt than a word.

“Here it comes. One, two—”

The wave caught us, drenching me to the waist as I struggled to my feet. The man hung on. We were standing.

“Move!” I screamed, for the next one was coming fast, and it was much bigger, surely powerful enough to smash us against the rocks. “Now!”

I staggered toward the place where I had climbed down, half-dragging him with me. “Quickly!” But he could not be quick; it was taking all his strength to move one foot before the other. No chance of getting there in time. It was coming. I heard its roar behind us.

“Breathe!” I shouted. I braced my legs and threw my arms around the man’s waist, holding on hard. No time to pray.