— The Corah Book I, Verse 50 The gossip had not stopped, though now it took on a different tone—a variety of tones, in fact, as the citizens of Nairne struggled to make sense of the reported results of Ealad-hach’s test of Taminy-a-Gled. There was not a soul who didn’t know about it, who hadn’t compared their version of the tell with their neighbor’s, swapping details until no one could recall what they had from whom. Several embellished versions were carried quayside and given into the keeping of the galley crews. They could take their pick of the litter and did, carrying, each his favorite version—or a combination of versions—down river to Tuine and Creiddylad. Taminy heard the various embellishments with chagrin and wry bemusement; the unadorned truth seemed startling enough without bringing in Eibhilin voices and lightnings and thunders. Most bemusing of all was the windfall effect of Ealad-hach’s attentions. Taminy was suddenly the cynosure of Nairne’s youth, especially her young females, while mothers who had previously suspected her now seemed to think her a fine and fit tutor for their girls.
