There were scraps of bone left over, slivers and shards. Nessa gathered them with respect and laid them gently in a sheltered corner of the cave. She rolled the wolfskin up once more and fastened it tightly. Guard was waiting, his ears laid back, his tail between his legs. He seemed less than steady on his feet. It was a long way up the cliff path, and a longer one across the moonlit fields to Somerled’s hall.

Now two of the sea women came forward, a small bundle or package held before them on outstretched hands. The tone of their song, the courteous bowing of their heads indicated this was a gift, and Nessa must take it with her. It was wrapped in what might have been cloth, or dried weed, or the hide of some creature only seen in deepest waters.

“Th–thank you,” Nessa faltered. “I don’t know how I can carry—”

Long hands reached to fasten the package on her back, a cord of twisted seaweed tying it in place. Nessa drew a deep breath. She bore the wolfskin under one arm, the harp cradled by the other. It was a steep path, and narrow. There was simply no room for any error. She had sworn she would do this, and she must.

“Farewell,” she told them. “I won’t forget what you have done. I understand its importance. We are of one kind, my sisters, for all our differences.”

They reached to touch her then, a whisper of fingertips against her cheek, brushing her hair, stroking her arm, clinging to her hand. Their skin was so cold, as cold as hoarfrost, and there was a faint, constant trembling in them, as if the ebb and flow of the sea were present in their flesh, even while they sojourned on land. Their voices sang greeting and farewell: Sister, our sister. So brave, so true. Go forth, go safe.

Guard hung back, reluctant even to begin the journey. He stood at the foot of the path whining, a sound that increased in anxiety as Nessa, heart sinking, made her cautious way upward in the faint light from the moon, which hung low in the sky somewhere beyond the clifftop. There could be no delays. There was no mistaking the message: if this was not done tonight, it would be too late. Behind her, Guard whimpered again. It sounded as if he was a long way back. She waited, trying not to look down, making her voice reassuring.

“Good boy, Guard. Come on, now. It’s not far.”