He wasn't confident. It didn't make sense to attempt the crossing in such appalling conditions but Miralda said they must leave without delay. As a precaution he had tied inflated sheepskins to the sides of the two vessels. The dead animals had come floating past. Miralda said they were a gift from the Holy Mother and a sign that She gave her blessing to their journey. The skins smelt worse than the marsh men but would keep the coracles afloat if they were swamped by a wave.

Miralda clutched Balduur's head to her breast. It was sewn into a sealskin bag, coated with tallow, and hung on a leather strap. Her lips moved reciting a prayer: always the same words: over and over again. It seemed to Fury that her strength was ebbing away.

'Not much further now, Sister.'

He touched the old woman's hand then returned his attention to the island. Miralda called it the Sanctuary of the Faithful and said it was at the Meeting of the Ways. Fury didn't fully understand what that meant. All he knew was that they were going to the sanctuary to dispose of Balduur's head. But that was only part of it. The words of Miralda's prayer continued to ring in his ears.

The Way is to the End as the End is to the Way. She had explained that Balduur's head was the burden they had to bear because of the sin they committed when they violated the sacred pathways. But they couldn't rid themselves of their mistakes just by going somewhere. They had to change and become different people.

Fury knew he had become a different person. There was a time when he ran away from problems. He'd go into the woods and sing about a world of make-believe and that hadn't helped him cope with the real word.

His harp was in its bag at his feet. He picked it up and dumped it over the side. Perhaps, one day, he'd get another and teach his sons and daughters to sing. But, before that could happen, he'd have to complete his mission and take Alison to safety. He glanced down at her.

She looked back and smiled.

'Can I help?'

'Nay ... rest.' He touched her hand.

Hours passed and the tide turned. The mountains on the northern shore were visible as a faint line above the horizon. Fury stopped paddling and let the current carry them towards their destination. He used his hand to take bearings, splaying his fingers, placing one landmark against another. He decided they were on course and pulled his leather cloak tight.




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