'Then I shall kill them again,' Melcorka said.
'We shall wait,' Bradan said. 'The Caterans are as dangerous as the mermaids, and there are many more of them.'
'It will not be easy,' Melcorka told them. 'The mermaids will try again.' She touched the hilt of Defender. 'I think you should find weapons before you venture back to sea.'
The men nodded, some still visibly trembling. The freckle-faced boy tried to smile, failed and looked away. He did not venture close to the side of the curragh.
'You'll be all right now.' Bradan tried to comfort him. 'They won't come on board.'
'If they try,' Melcorka said, 'I have this.' She touched Defender.
'Listen,' one of the oarsmen said. 'They are singing again.'
'Sing back!' Bradan said. 'Loud songs so we can't hear them.'
The men began to sing, d
