To avoid a throbbing head and a state of confusion, I came out of the trance gradually, with several changes of breathing. As I did so I became once more aware of my surroundings; of the small circle of onlookers, their faces illuminated by the warm light of the lamp; of the moon rising in the night sky; of Felix’s eyes fixed on me, the knowledge on his face telling me that he, too, had read a message in the signs. Of Clodagh sitting on the very edge of the bench, biting her nails. Svala’s utter stillness drew the eye. She sat cross-legged now, back straight, head high, eyes tranquil as she watched me.

“Water, Sibeal?” Muirrin came over, offering a cup.

“Thank you.” I drank, as thirsty as if I had not had a drop all day. “I will tell you what I see in this. There are two signs predominant: Rad, the journey, and Ken, the torch. Taken simply, this could mean that there will be light on the quest, or that the travelers will find enlightenment. There will be learning in it. I think we would have known that without a divination. Rad and Ken are a pair; there’s a rightness in their coming up together. The third, less prominent sign is Eolh: a rune of defense.” I picked up the rod with its three-pronged hand or claw, and Svala made a little sound. She recognized it, perhaps, as Knut’s choice for self-protection. “Eolh is a shield. It guards against all kinds of attack, not only the physical. If I could give those men on the island one rune to keep them safe, it would be this one. When I pray for their survival, I will thank the gods for sending this sign.”

I paused. That much was simple. “Johnny,” I said, “it would be easy for me to give you the interpretation that suits me best. You know I believe the mission cannot succeed unless I am present. That conviction was based on another reading entirely. In these three runes, the need for both myself and Felix to travel to the island is less clear. Rad tells me the gods believe in our venture. Ken tells me those who undertake it may go down a dark path indeed, one in which the light of knowledge may be all that can show them the way. A shadowy path; a path that may bring the travelers close to death. The presence of Eolh could be taken to show that they will nonetheless come through safely, shielded by the love of the gods and by their own courage. I see both sacrifice and salvation in these runes. But I do not see myself.” I made myself say it. I had been trained in ways of truth.