Melcorka had never met a druid before. She stood on the grassy mound in the centre of the circle of standing stones, thankful for Defender and the supportive presence of Bradan, who sat with his back to a stone, tapping his staff on the ground. Each stone was nine feet tall, of grey-white granite and carved with these strange Pictish symbols. Together, they created an arena unlike any she had seen before.
"Maybe he"s not coming," Melcorka said hopefully.
"He"s only a few moments late," Bradan said quietly.
"Maybe he heard about your prowess with Loarn and decided it was not safe." Bradan tapped his staff again. "I"m sorry I was not there."
"It wasn"t your fault." Melcorka knew that he blamed himself.
"I should not have let you go off alone in this strange place."
"Melcorka!" the voic
