He was interrupted by a dull thumping noise. Something formidable was coming towards them and it was propelled by oars. Alison had never heard anything like it. Boat races in her former realm were feeble in comparison. The oars sent shock waves through the water. She clung on and watched as a dragon prow appeared against the winter sky.
It made straight for them. Alison thought they would collide. Then the steersman shouted a command. The water boiled and the vessel swung round. Ropes were thrown down and the coracles were pulled to the side.
The steersman wore a cloak trimmed with fur and carried a sword with a jewelled pommel. He threw out his arm in salute and announced his name, saying he was Tempest son of Storm Cloud, Prince of Galboreth.
Alison waited for Fury to reply. He was a prince of the Catti and the boatmen were his mother's allies. But not a word came from Fury's lips. He sat in his coracle: eyes focused on a row of heads that hung from the dragon prow. The steersman glared at him.
'What's your name?'
Fury pulled back his hood. 'I am Little Bear, also known as Fury son of Great Fear, Ap-Bronwyn, Ap-Cronwyn, Prince of the Catti, by grace of our Most Holy Mother.'
He blurted out his reply.
'It's the little prince.' One of the oarsmen rose from his bench. 'I thought I recognised him.' He swirled his cloak in an exaggerated show or respect. 'Pray, little prince, introduce us to your two companions.'
Fury opened his mouth but Weasel didn't give him a chance to speak. The boy rose and gave a warrior's salute. 'I am Broyan son of Malduur, companion of the Princess Adrina and a loyal servant of Our Lady.'
The boy sat down and Alison stood up, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder to steady herself. She decided to follow his lead and not mention her totem name.
'I am Alison.' She threw back her hood. 'I came here as companion of the man you know as the Sky Warrior.'
The effect was electric. Men crowded to the side of the boat and the vessel leant over.
'What are you doing with the little prince?' one of them asked.
Alison ignored him.
'Are you a princess?'
'My father is a famous healer,' Alison replied, aware that the clansmen held the medical fraternity in great respect.
'Lady, would you do us the honour of coming aboard?'
The invitation came from the steersman. He swirled his cloak elegantly and held out a hand. His good looks and fine manners impressed her. She turned to Fury. 'Let's go and talk to them. They can help us rescue Adrina.'