Twenty-two birlinns filled the natural harbour, with small waves hushing against their wooden hulls and the occasional seagull perched on the slanted mast or tall prow. A crow cawed harshly and rose in wing-flapping rancour as they stopped at the first birlinn. Melcorka wondered what cruelties and horrors these vessels had witnessed, and pushed the thought aside.
'Bradan, you start here. Tuath, count seven ships in and start there and I shall start at the ships at the far side of the bay. Set fire to their sails and it should spread. The tar on the hulls will ignite.' She grinned. 'At worst, we will have a fine bonfire and at best, we shall bring the Osprey flying down so we can eradicate him. But whatever happens, we will reduce the Caterans' fleet.'
'You are an evil woman,' Tuath said,
