“Already!” On the same day. In a heartbeat, men had thrown their lives into the balance.

“They did not need the time I offered them. It’s not unexpected. They were captured by Felix’s tale. They see themselves or their friends in the shoes of those men, clutching onto the last scrap of courage in the face of the impossible. It is the stuff of legend. So . . . ” He gave me a very straight look. “It would seem this is going ahead, provided Liadan is back in time.”

“She will be.”

“How can you speak with such certainty?”

“I feel it, Johnny. I know it. The gods want Felix to accomplish this. They will not let him fail for the lack of a ship.”

“Your faith impresses me, Sibeal. While I have not quite the same degree of certainty, I feel in my bones that this will happen.”

“Do you have a leader among your volunteers?”

“Yes. Gareth.”

There seemed nothing to say. I’m sorry was not appropriate. Gareth was a seasoned warrior. He was the kind of man who could lead an expedition with calm confidence. Whether or not Johnny wanted him to go, and whether or not Gareth had offered himself because he knew Johnny could not go, was none of my business. “He’ll do a fine job,” I said eventually.

“Yes.”

“Johnny, I—”

“I have a favor to ask of you, Sibeal.”

I had expected him to tell me, next, that I should leave this crew of professionals to do the job and stay here where I would be safe. “What favor?”

“I want you to cast the runes again, in my presence. You can have anyone you want there, or just the two of us if you prefer.” When I did not reply, he added, “I don’t doubt that first divination, Sibeal. I know you will always give us the truth. I don’t doubt Cathal’s dreams or his scrying vision or what Svala has communicated to you. I’m asking this because I’m hoping it may shed more light on the situation.”

“Very well,” I said. “Is there a particular question you would have me pose?”

“You might ask which weighs heavier in the balance of this venture, salvation or sacrifice.”

A solemn question indeed. “And if the answer was sacrifice, would you refuse to let me go?” I asked. “You know my first divination suggested the mission could not succeed unless both Felix and I were there.”

“At the very least,” said Johnny, “the divination will provide some clarity. We’re in sore need of that.”