ran down a wrinkled cheek. “Ah, lass, I’ve been lost without me mates. I don’t know why I was the one to survive. They were better men than I.”
“I’m sure it’s been difficult for you.” She touched his shoulder. “But the goddesses spared your life, so you should do your best with it, don’t you think? Wouldn’t that be the best way to honor your friends?”
He nodded, another tear rolling down his face. “I think ye’re right, lass.”
As she walked back to the convent with Nevis, she glanced over her shoulder a few times to see if Lobby was following them. But he wasn’t.
“You did what you could,” Nevis told her. “He has to make the choice himself. And he might choose liquor over life.”
Maeve sighed, knowing that was true. “Have you ever heard of a sea witch?”
“No.”
“It seems to me that the Isle of Secrets would be a good place to hide the Embraced army.”
Nevis snorted. “If such a place actually exists.”
Should she ask Captain Shaw to help her find the island? She winced, wondering if the mysterious Sea Witch might actually destroy the captain’s ship and drown his crew. Perhaps they would be safer if she looked for the island herself as a seal. But she had never attempted a long journey before. How far could she swim before exhaustion set in? What if she couldn’t find land?
She shook her head. It was too dangerous to go alone. Perhaps she could convince some of her seal friends to accompany her? Or Brody? Her heart leaped up her throat. Of course! Brody could go with her. He could even take eagle form occasionally to search for the island from above.
And if this mysterious Sea Witch actually existed, she would not think it odd if a seal or eagle arrived on her island. Then Maeve wouldn’t have to worry about Captain Shaw losing his ship or his crew.
After they arrived back at the convent, Nevis stayed to have the midday meal with them. Then he left to try once more to see Queen Esther at Lessa Castle. Maeve went back to her room, and since she hadn’t slept much the night before, she soon fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
On the Isle of Mist, Brody woke and was relieved to discover he was still in the form of the Seer. After staying up most of the night to read the Seer’s journal, he’d finally fallen asleep around dawn. The orange tabby demanded to be fed before Brody did anything else, so he gave Trouble the last of the chicken. After washing up, he started a fire in the hearth. The last of the bread from the convent had grown stale, so he toasted it with some cheese over the fire. Then he sat at the table to eat while he resumed his reading of the journal.
He’d skimmed through more than fifty years of entries the night before. Sadly, they had all been too similar—visions of war, destruction, plague, and starvation. It was a wonder the Seer hadn’t lost his mind after being forced to witness so much violence and despair. But then, about twenty-three years ago, he had experienced a different kind of vision, one that had left him so thrilled, his handwriting had become messy in his haste to record all the details.
Brody had marked the entry with an old ribbon, and this afternoon, he returned to the passage to read it once again.
Early spring, Year 677.
Today, my heart is light and full of a hope that I haven’t felt in decades. Indeed, I find myself so excited, I can barely contain my joyful spirit long enough to write this entry.
My dream last night started off much like my other visions. I was floating across the ocean on my way to the mainland. But when I arrived, I didn’t see what I normally do.
I flew over the kingdom of Tourin, and to my amazement, I saw happy people. Well-fed and healthy, they bustled about the markets, they labored in fields ripe with grain and vegetables, they herded fat sheep and cows, they played with children and sang songs in the taverns. Before I could offer a prayer of thanksgiving to the goddesses, a strong wind came out of the capital of Lourdon and swept me quickly south.
In the kingdom of Eberon, I saw more people enjoying peace and prosperity. No battles. No disease. No starvation. But I was startled when, suddenly, a bolt of lightning shot from Ebton