“Yes, but I have my suspicions that the Washing Woman is not the last creature we will encounter. You see, they are not solitary. They are not unconnected. That you had one interaction with a member of their race, and emerged triumphant, means others will be watching for you, determined to best you as the Bean-Nighe was unable to do.”

“And what of your encounter with the cù-sìth? You emerged triumphant in that encounter,” he said.

“The very reason Granny Winter has taught me so much of the ways of fairies and monsters. She is hopeful that the passage of so many years without significant interactions means they aren’t particularly upset at my escape. Likely because they were successful in causing me so much pain.”

“Are all creatures from that realm so vindictive and bloodthirsty?”

Sorcha shook her head. “Some are rather benevolent. Some are neither good nor bad. But those that mean harm are more than capable of inflicting it.”

“If you don’t wish to continue,” he said, “I will understand. You need only give me directions, and I will make the remainder of the journey on my own.”

“I am not afraid.”

“Neither am I,” he said.

She’d long suspected he was quite brave. It was a wonderful thing to realize she was right.

“We had best begin,” she said. “We have a long journey ahead.”

They paused long enough for him to switch from the soft shoes to his sturdier boots. Granny’s shoes were placed in the bag, and the bag slung over his shoulder. Sorcha pulled from her bag an apple for each of them, which they ate as they walked.

“What do you know of this town we are heading toward?” he asked.

“Not very much. I know where it is, but I’ve not been there myself. Granny Winter showed me a map a few weeks ago, talking about the various places and some of their history. She pointed out that town on the map, but she didn’t tell me anything about it.”

His face pulled in an expression of pondering. “I have my suspicions she knew you were going to be making this journey. Why else would she have a bag ready with things that were needed, and why else would she mention this town to you?”

Sorcha smiled to herself. Granny had likely known, or at least had had an inkling. There seemed very little that woman didn’t know or couldn’t predict. How she hoped Granny Winter had foreseen the possibility of success on this journey, even if success wasn’t entirely promised.