‘I can now assume that there was, indeed, a boat that passed upriver last night.’ The woman’s eyes widened as she realised her mistake. Her husband, Echna, rose and went to her, laying his hand on her arm. ‘These are the King’s men; we must tell them the truth.’ ‘Even if we come to harm?’ the woman said with a wail. ‘Even if our boy comes to harm?’ Gormán spoke firmly. ‘You will come to no harm from us, nor from any who is in the service of Colgú of Cashel. Say what you know to be the truth and the truth will protect you.’ Echna turned back to them. ‘Are the people you seek, those in this boat, your enemies?’ ‘They are,’ replied Eadulf. ‘Now – what did you mean when you said that you or your boy might come to harm?’ Echna patted his wife’s arm again and told her to return to the cabin. Then he came and sat down with them, pouring himself a large drink from the pitcher of lind. ‘Last night we were all asleep; that is, myself, my wife and my son, Enán.
