“Again?”
He shook his head, dismissing the question.
“Where did you take Rhona?” she asked.
“I shouldn’t say.”
“But is she alright?”
He paused. “She was when I left her.”
“So you went back to the chapel?” she prompted.
He nodded. “It was strange. Before I reached the clearing, I thought I saw two people there, though the moonlight was faint. A great wind swept up and I rode hard into it. Something seemed wrong.” His jaw tensed as he hesitated. “She was lying on the grass. She was alone. At first she didn’t seem to recognise me but then she smiled. We spoke but a few words and then she was gone.”
Her throat was tight as she spoke. “How?”
“I don’t know. I saw no wound. And I’d seen no sign of weakness in her when I’d left her. I don’t know how. I don’t know why. Afterwards, the guards saw me there with her. It pained me to leave her there but I knew they would arrest me if they caught me. So I rode fast, losing them in the woods.”
“Then you bumped into me,” she said.
He nodded. “Kaetha—”
“Aye?”
He looked as though he had something difficult to say. He struggled to meet her gaze as he twisted the cuff of his sleeve which was beginning to fray like her own. “You should try to sleep,” he said. “We both should.”
Kaetha laid down, wrapped in the scratchy blanket. Darkness closed in when Aedan blew out the rushlight and she stared into it until she didn’t know if her eyes were open or shut. “Did you love her?” she asked. She wondered if he’d fallen asleep, he took so long to reply.
“Your aunt was right. Morwena was better off without me.”
FIVE
The Path Ahead
Footsteps fell softly across the room. It was still dark when Kaetha opened her eyes.
“How long have I been asleep?” she asked.
“Only a couple of hours I should think,” said Aedan. Metal clicked as he fastened his cloak.
Though weary, she got to her feet. “You’re leaving?”
“Aye. You can stay with Hetty as long as you need. She’ll appreciate the company. But, when it’s safe to do so, you should go back to your aunt Gwyn. She’ll know what’s best for you.”
“Where are you going?”
“Back home to my house in Braddon.”
Kaetha pictured the tapestry which had hung on the back wall at Feodail Hall, depicting a map of the island with the kingdoms of Dalrath and Tyrros and the Edonian and Angualish territories. She remembered Braddon being far to the north, on the coast. Beside it, there had been an embroidered fish with glittering scales which appeared to leap from the sea into the mouth of a river. “Braddon? You’re going north?”
“I’ve not been there in years. But I’ve lost everything, you see. Everything but the house there and what little wealth I carry.” He clutched at a leather pouch which hung around his neck. “I’m a sea merchant – I was, that is. I’m not sure what you call a sea merchant with no ship and no goods to sell. Only weeks ago, my ship was raided. I would have drowned had a friend not rescued me. We docked here at Orach Bay yesterday. I plan to return home until I can afford to get back at the tiller again. My only chance of avoiding the guards is to leave this city under cover of darkness. My horse will not be as rested as I should like but it’ll be sunrise in an hour or two and I hope to be well onto the North Road in that time.”
An image came to her then – her last sight of Morwena as she rode off to Ciadrath. The sky’s dark clouds in that memory seemed to swirl menacingly. After all she and Aedan had been through in the last few hours, the fact of his leaving felt like shock of ice water.
“So that’s it?” she said. “I won’t see you again, I suppose.”
The glow from the rush light caught in his eyes as he looked at her. There was something apologetic in his expression. “You may. Some day.”
Creaks and taps signalled Hetty joining them downstairs. “You’re off then?” said the woman.
“Aye.”
“Well, you can just wait a few moments.” Hetty started rummaging through the contents of a chest.
“I have to go now, Hetty,” he said.
The old woman tutted. “Never were a patient one. The lass is going with you?” she asked as she packed items into a canvas bag.
“She’ll be going to her aunt.”
“Safer there for her?” she asked, handing the bag to Aedan.
“Aye, she’ll be safer there. Thanks for this.”
“No need to thank me. You saved my brother. If it’s your turn to be saved, I’ll be doing all I can.”
Before reaching the front door, he stopped and put a hand on Kaetha’s shoulder. “I wish you well, Kaetha.” Again, he looked as though he would say something else.
Moments later, the door tapped shut, cold air lingering in
