'Bradan is my man,' Melcorka said. 'Kulothunga loves himself more than any woman. He only wishes a woman to worship him, not as an equal. Kosala, I do not understand.'
'You are still naïve in some ways, Melcorka,' Bearnas said. 'Life has lessons for you yet.' Her tone altered. 'Be careful of Kulothunga; he is not all he appears. I cannot say more than that.'
Melcorka dismissed that delicate subject. 'Mother, can I defeat this rakshasa? Will I defeat this rakshasa?'
'I can tell you that you can,' Bearnas said. 'I cannot tell you if you will. You are the mistress of your own destiny. Your life and victory depend on your actions, not on my words. I can only advise.'
'Give me your advice, Mother, please!' Melcorka was a small girl again, standing on the shores of her Hebridean island with
