'I know you will,' Melcorka said, narrowing her eyes as she saw Conall watching from the corner of a cottage with a twisted smile on his face and evil in his eyes. 'We'll be back,' she told him, 'and Alva had better be fit and healthy when we are.'
There were a few moments of confusion while they clattered into Catriona, shifting water kegs to the stern and sacks of meal to the driest parts of the ship before they settled down on the rowing benches.
'Safe voyage,' Igraine said, and only Melcorka noticed the bright dampness of her eyes.
'I am no seaman,' Tuath grumbled, as he took his place at the oars.
'Then this will be a new experience for you,' Melcorka told him. 'The sea can be kind, or it can be cruel. We are lucky in our boat and lucky in our company, for you and I are warriors,
