“Ah.” She turned. “How is Mistress Blackthorn progressing with her training?” The lengthy rehearsal was pointless; if the curse could be broken, it would be broken no matter how inept the woman was with her ax. She needed only to go up there and do it. Something her predecessors had not managed. But at least Blackthorn’s activities in the practice yard were keeping her busy. If she was occupied in swinging her weapon, she might not spend too much time thinking. Questioning. Reaching conclusions.

“She’s being fitted out with some protective garments, my lady, at Grim’s request. We saw no harm in doing that.”

“Perhaps it’s a wise precaution. None of us can anticipate exactly how this will unfold. Onchú, Grim will be here this afternoon. Make sure the others are careful with their words.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Another thing. Tomorrow, when we go to the island, I want a presence of guards at the house, watching out for Master Flannan. Should he come down from the monastery while the attempt is under way, he must be stopped. He must not reach the island. I don’t want him speaking to Mistress Blackthorn again.”

“Stopped?”

“By whatever means are required. Including lethal force.”

“Yes, my lady. And if Grim should return early?”

“The same would apply.”

There was a silence; then Onchú said, “Stopping Master Flannan would take, at most, two men. Grim would be another matter.”

“I’m sure it is not beyond your capabilities, Onchú.”

He bowed his head. “Yes, my lady. Lady Geiléis?”

“What is it?” There was a new note in his voice, one that unsettled her. They all knew what might be coming. They all wanted this brought to an end.

“I will obey your orders, of course. If you wish me to remain at the house myself, I will do so. But . . . I ask that you allow me to accompany you to the island. Myself and Donncha. The men are all expert. We have sufficient guards to watch the track and to deal with anyone who might happen to arrive.”

“You’ve given me loyal service, Onchú. I wish I could reward it with something better than this. I will leave the deployment of guards to your expertise. Just make quite sure that neither Flannan nor Grim can reach Blackthorn before this comes to its conclusion.”

“I will, my lady,” Onchú said, somber-faced. “Thank you.”

“It is hardly worthy of thanks. But I am glad you will be there. You and Donncha. Tell him I said so.”

“Yes, my lady.”

He left, closing the door behind him. Geiléis threw the cloth back over the mirror. How was she to spend this day, this last full day of the curse? Odd that now, after the years of waiting, on the brink of success time seemed to have slowed; it was as if the day were a year long. She moved to her storage chest and opened it. There had never been a maidservant, only Senach and his faithful men, tending to everything. And Caisín, of course. Caisín was clever with the needle and kept Geiléis’s clothing in excellent condition. But she did not like having Caisín too close; the girl made her feel guilty, even after so long. Geiléis had learned to dress herself. To look after her own hair. She was no longer the privileged child she had been when she first saw a light in the Tower of Thorns and climbed out her window to investigate.