When they got back to the guest house, they discovered that Aidan had returned from Bebbanburg.
“He just arrived,” Brother Barach said to Conaire as he arranged the blankets on the bed. The lightning-fast news network on the island had reported Conaire’s arrival, and the Guestmaster came with extra bedding just as they were stripping off their soaked clothing. “’I’m surprised ye didna see him on the crossing.”
“’Twas hard to see anything in the rain,” Conaire said, pulling on one of Thomas’ extra tunics.
It was small for him across the shoulders. Of course. Thomas squelched the jealousy, irritated at himself.
“Oh aye,” the prior agreed. “’Tis the Devil’s own storm this eve. Ye were fortunate ye didna lose your way on the crossin’, so ye were.” He sighed, setting his worries aside as h
