'Something's wrong here,' Melcorka said. 'There are no houses, no other people, no ships except Catriona, and no bird or insect life. Who is that man and how did he get here? How does he survive?' She lengthened her stride. 'Come on, Bradan, we have a mystery to solve.'
They broke into a trot, and then a full run until their legs ached and their lungs burned, without closing the distance to the lone man at the copse of static palms.
'Stop,' Bradan gasped, clutching at Melcorka's arm. 'We're getting nowhere here.'
'You're right,' Melcorka said. They stood side by side, breathing in agonised gasps. 'Look around us, Bradan.'
The sea lapped against the beach a few yards behind them, where Catriona lay with her mast slanting sideways and her prow facing the still-distant palms. 'We've moved backwards since I last looked,' Bradan said.
'So I see,' Melcorka said. 'We're no closer to the copse than we were when we started.'
'This island is not normal,' Bradan said. 'It is either enchanted or accursed and either way, it is best if we were not here.' He gestured to the man sitting under his palm trees. 'Whatever that is, wizard, warlock, magi or druid, it has powers that we cannot match.'
'We'll get back to sea then.' Melcorka jerked her head toward Catriona. 'This is an adventure that I have no wish to repeat.'
Catriona seemed eager to leave. She slid easily down the sand into the water as Bradan and Melcorka pushed her. They jumped in together, with Melcorka taking the tiller as Bradan hoisted the sail.
'At least you have got some energy back,' Bradan said.
'The wind is from the south-west.' Melcorka did not respond to his words. 'Angle the sail to catch it.'
'Look,' Bradan pointed ahead. 'The island has moved.'
A hundred yards in front of them, the white sands of the island stretched out on either side. Astern of Catriona was only sea.
'This is uncanny.' Bradan rubbed his thumb across St Columba's cross that was carved into the tip of his staff.
'That man is still there.' Melcorka altered the angle of the tiller. 'Time we were not.'
The copse of trees seemed only a few hundred paces away, with the man stationary at the edge. There was no trace of their footprints on the beach.
'Hoist all sail,' Melcorka said. 'If we can't get away, we'll fight. Ram the island.'
'We can't sink an island,' Bradan said.
'Get on the oars and pull with all your strength,' Melcorka's eyes narrowed. 'We can't walk to that man, so let's try to sail to him. If he's there at all.'
'If he's there at all?' Bradan repeated.
'We have seen armies before, where none existed.' Melcorka joined Bradan at the oars, sending Catriona surging forward. 'That man could be an illusion, a trick of the mind, a conjurer's image and so could the island.'
'As you wish.' Securing the sail in place, Bradan hauled as hard as he was able, grunting with effort. Catriona thrust into the sea, her sharp prow raising a bow-wave, and then she rammed hard onto the sand.
Melcorka gasped as the impact threw her backwards. Bradan tumbled on top of her and the oars were thrown into utter confusion.
'That feels solid enough.' Melcorka dragged herself up, feeling for broken bones.
'The island is unaltered.' Bradan pointed to the copse of trees, where the man sat, unmoving, watching them.
'What do you want?' Melcorka shouted. 'What do you want of us?'
'We come in peace,' Bradan roared. 'We only want to talk to you.'
The man still did not move as, once again, Melcorka and Bradan strode forward, with their feet sinking into the white sand and the copse remaining the same distance from them.
'Look behind you,' Bradan said. 'We're making an impression.'
Their footsteps were distinct in the sand, stretching backwards, but every time they stepped forward, the imprint nearest to Catriona faded and vanished.
'This man is a magician,' Melcorka said. 'And the only cure for a magician is this!' She unsheathed Defender with a slither of steel on leather. As always, she felt the thrill as the power and skill of all the previous holders of the sword coursed from the hilt through her hands and arms and into her body. 'Now, let us see how good he is.'
'He has not attacked us,' Bradan said.
'Just as well for him.' Melcorka lifted Defender above her head. 'You there! Magician! We came in peace, and you have played with us. Greet us fairly, or by my sword, I will part your head from your body.'
For the first time, the man showed some emotion. He smiled, sitting cross-legged amidst the palm trees, naked except for a minuscule loincloth.
Bradan looked around. They were now only five yards from the man, yet he had not moved since Melcorka drew Defender. 'How did we get here?'
'Magic.' Melcorka tightened her grip on Defender. 'Look behind us.'
Twin sets of footprints extended from Catriona to the copse, unbroken save where falling fine sand was blurring the edges of each print. The air was still, without a hint of a breeze.
'Who are you?' Bradan asked.
The man spoke without moving. 'Who I am does not matter. Who are you, man-with-a-staff, and why do you come to my home?'
Bradan gave a little bow. 'Well met, man of this island. I am Bradan the Wanderer from Alba. I seek knowledge of places and people unknown to me. My companion is Melcorka nic Bearnas, also from Alba. Nic means daughter of, so she is Melcorka, the daughter of Bearnas.'
'Well met, Bradan the Wanderer from Alba.' The man did not move. 'Knowledge is a powerful tool and one that can be used to help or to injure.'
'That is so, man-with-no-name,' Bradan agreed.
'I do not like talking to a man with no name,' Melcorka said. 'Who are you?'
The man remained still. 'More importantly, my Lady of the Sword, is who you are.'
'I am Melcorka nic Bearnas, of the Cenel Bearnas from Alba.' Melcorka said. 'Bradan has already told you that.'
'Bradan told me your name,'
