Nessa nodded gravely. “I am aware of this. He visited my uncle’s hall. He spoke of it quite openly.”

“When?”

“Long ago, when he threatened us with annihilation. My hand was to be part of the price for sparing our people’s lives. That gave me many sleepless nights, Eyvi, sleepless nights and troubled days.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he whispered.

“I wanted to, but I couldn’t. It was…it was too hard, I couldn’t find the words. It would have been a high price to pay; but I did wonder if I should agree, to save the Folk. Now that I have seen Somerled at work, I know that I was right to refuse. Such a bargain would have won my people only a life of bitter servitude. Besides, I–I knew I could not wed Somerled. I knew it.”

“Because you are a priestess,” Eyvind said, finding again that his voice was not quite obedient to his will. “I understand that.”

Nessa was regarding him very intently. “I could not wed Somerled,” she said again. “I realized it was not possible.”

“Let me come with you,” he blurted out, “let me guard you and help you with this task, whatever it is. I–I thought I’d lost you forever. I can’t lose you again.”

“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “The task is…it is something I have to do alone, it is a work of magic in which you cannot play a part. But…but if I could have a companion on this journey, save my faithful Guard here, it would be you I would wish for above all others, Eyvi.”

“Can I not at least watch over you, so you can complete the task undisturbed? I would keep you safe. I ask for nothing more than that. Please don’t turn your back on me and walk away, not when I can place myself between you and the peril that shadows your steps.”

“What about your own quest, your own task?”

“It can wait.” He knew even as he said it that this was not so.

“I don’t know. I, too, dread saying farewell again, lest it truly be the last time. I’m not sure I can bear another loss. We need some guidance in this, a sign. If only Rona were still alive. I miss her wisdom so much.”

“She may be still alive,” Eyvind told her cautiously, “though she did place herself at great risk. She’s an old woman, certainly, but there’s a core of iron there every bit as strong as your own.”

Nessa’s eyes widened. “What do you mean? Don’t you know her cottage was burned with everything in it? Somerled’s thugs devastated our holy place, laid waste its secrets. An old woman does not survive such an attack.”