Sigurd gives me a searching look. “Taking risks is part of being a man,” he says. “It’s part of living, Felix. You can’t wrap up every friend you have and put him away in safe storage, lest he trip and hurt himself. Nobody would thank you for that. If you’re still thinking of those ill luck rumors that once dogged you, forget them. I’m offering to go with you because I want to, and because I think we can help each other. That should be enough for you.”

I nod. I cannot argue with this.

“Our man on the mainland will arrange horses and supplies for your trip south to Munster,” Johnny says. “There will be resources at your disposal. It’ll be up to the two of you how you use them. What do you say, Felix?”

“It is good to have a purpose,” I say. “I will do this. I thank you, all of you. I thank you for your faith in me.”

Now they are all looking at me, and I see that perhaps my tone has not matched my words. Right now, it is not possible to sound anything but sad.

“Good,” Johnny says. “I’ll leave you and Sigurd to work out the details in your own time. You may need to make haste if you’re to secure a passage from the south before the worst of the autumn storms. I’ve given Sigurd up to a year’s leave of absence.”

A year. Once, that would have seemed long. Now, it only tells me that there will then be nine more years to wait. Nine years in which I grow older, and Sibeal grows older, and our paths grow steadily further apart.

“Felix.” Gareth speaks now, quietly. He is the affable, friendly man he was before the voyage, and yet not quite the same. His eyes are more guarded; his mouth holds something in reserve. “I realize your plans for the long-term future may be somewhat hazy at present. I must tell you that several of us, independently, have suggested to Johnny that he offer you a place on Inis Eala, a permanent place, once you have completed this other business, and that he has agreed. You might return here when Sigurd does. The men hold your courage in high regard. We would welcome you as one of us.”

I am astounded. I know what an honor this is, how rarely a place on the island is offered. “I am no warrior,” I say, “nor ever will be one.”

“You are a young man of exemplary bravery.” Gull speaks. His voice is soft and deep. It makes me think of oak wood and shadows. “That is a weapon stronger than the most finely crafted sword, Felix. You are a man of great heart. Besides,” he adds with a grin, “we like your songs.”

“Thank you,” I say to all of them. “I am more honored than I can say. Much in my future is unknown. Much is still to be decided. Whether my path brings me back here or takes me far away, I will never forget that you recognized me thus.”