"I think we have found Inch Iolaire," Melcorka said, studying the birlinns.
"I think you could be correct," Bradan agreed. "Unfortunately, we are not quite prepared to defeat them all."
"That is indeed unfortunate," Melcorka said.
"We are a little outnumbered," Tuath said. "There are two of us against a hundred or two hundred of them."
"There are three of us," Melcorka corrected. "You, me and Bradan."
"A man with a stick will not matter in a battle," Tuath said. "He is best left out lest he gets in the way."
"There are three of us," Melcorka repeated, "and they will be surprised to see us, which we can use to our advantage."
"We attack the first boat and kill them all," Tuath said. "That will discourage the others." He tested the edge of his axe-blade with his thumb, drawing blood.
