Nona, Bronwyn, and Tynan left Torht’s holding in mid-afternoon to return to Bebbanburg. Despite the upcoming Solstice, Nona’s heart was lighter than it had been in weeks. By God’s good grace, she had found an experienced Healer at Torht’s holding who had given her ideas for draughts to help her nausea. The Healer reassured her that although Nona’s symptoms were more severe than most, she and the babe were in no danger. The relief Nona felt surprised her. She hadn’t realized how worried she had been.
They knew nothing about the theft of the arm, nor had seen anything unusual on their journey from Deira. Although they agreed that they, too, felt the same unease that had been plaguing Nona and Conaire: the sense of an ill wind blowing against them, pushing dark clouds before it.
A light dr
