‘It is there she meets the devil,’ growled Braden.
‘I will pray well and truly before I venture there. But first I must sleep. I have no stomach to beard the Devil in the dark.’
Braden grunted and turned his back on Donal. Skena hurried forward and picked up the spilt jar and began mopping up the ale.
‘You are welcome,’ she said. ‘You may sleep in... you may sleep in that bed.’ She pointed to where her daughter used to sleep.
‘Thank you,’ Donal said and he lay down wearily and closed his eyes. For a long time he heard Braden pacing the room, occasionally muttering. But at last all was still.
* * * *
When Brother Durston returned to his hut both Neil and Mairi were asleep, but as soon as he touched the door the girl woke with a start, and by the time he had entered she was crouching a
