“You mustn’t go out. Rona told me you’ve been fishing. I’m glad you can walk so far; glad you have recovered enough to attempt such tasks. But it’s not safe for you. Things have changed. They’ve changed terribly since I left here.”

His face was grave. “You’d better tell me,” he said. “You look pale, and you’re thinner. What’s wrong, Nessa?”

Rona’s spoon clanked against the bowl, ladling dumplings in onion broth.

“I don’t know what you’re saying to her, lad, nor she to you, but it can wait until the girl’s had her supper. She’s worn out as it is. And you’re still skinny as a wraith, great thing that you are. Here, eat this and sit quiet a while.”

“She says, supper first, talk later,” Nessa said, managing a little smile. His eyes were so bright in the firelight, she could hardly look at him; and yet she wanted to look, to go on looking, so she could be quite sure he was really here. She felt strangely as if she might start to cry. This was no good at all. Kinart and Ferach were on guard, and she had a ritual to perform. It would have been better if Eyvind had gone away, as she had expected. Much better for everyone. And yet, there was no denying that sweet warmth, that flood of delight that had swept through her the moment she saw him standing there, so tall, so quiet, so solemn. As if he belonged here. As if he were a part of her. She was so glad, so glad that he had waited.

“Stop dreaming, child, and get that food into you,” Rona commanded, gaze shrewdly assessing. “Then tell me why you’re back. Not just to pass the time of day; I see that in your face.”

“Who was here?” Eyvind asked as soon as they had finished eating. “I heard voices. I thought it best to stay in the old place until they were gone.”

“Just a couple of women after remedies,” Nessa said lightly. “Folk come here for such trifles sometimes. They’re gone now. But you must be careful, Eyvind. I’m not allowed to be here without guards now. My cousin watches the seaward track, and his friend the eastern way. They’re well armed, and will not hesitate to attack. Promise me you won’t go out again. It was foolish to do so. I can’t understand how Rona could make such an error of judgment.”

“I may be weakened and unable to wield a weapon, but I have not lost all my skills, Nessa. I was a hunter by the time I was five years old. I can walk silently, and pass a wild creature, or a man, not seven paces away unseen and unheard. There was no risk. Trust me.”

Nessa shivered, saying nothing.

“What is it? What has happened?”