I glare at Maide, knowing by the tone of her voice that she means to belittle me but I don't entirely understand what she is saying. This Empire she speaks of is something I have heard of from the old sage Nevvyn during my stay at Inver Colpa. It is still distant from all that is familiar to me, distant enough to be nothing more than an excuse wielded by an arrogant healer who would keep my dear Aunt hostage here unto her death.

Saiorse gulps the remedy eagerly. She has amazing stamina left in her, judging from how well she tolerates the foul stuff. It begins working immediately, much to Maide's secret astonishment. I watch the nurse matron's eyes narrow as my aunt roughly hacks up the first results of the purging potion, then straighens herself up to her full imposing height and demands, once again, her traveling clothes. The younger healer obediently scurries away to fetch them.

I, too, stand as tall as I can in front of Maide who seems to shrink before me and my magnificent aunt. I link arms with Auntie Saoirse. Meeting Maide's sharp and beady eyes with firm resolve, I announce to her, "You cannot keep this woman here. She is coming with me, for I am her kin, and a healer in my own right! I will give her whatever care she requires from now on."

A bundle of clothing and possessions is brought in and laid before Saoirse. Without any further ado, she strips off her leine and throws it on the floor at Maide's feet in a gesture of absolute disdain. Standing naked before us, Saoirse is a sight to behold. Her battle scars scream out in red and white slashes across the wrinkled leather of her sagging skin. Yet underneath this wreckage I recognize the lean and powerful muscles of the warrior I remember and love so well.

"She is her kin," Braca pipes up bravely. "There is nothing we can do to keep her here if her kindred claims her."

Of that I am sure. I fold my arms confidently across my chest and wait while my aunt happily prepares for her departure from Inis án Ghaill.

Where will we go from here? I haven't a single idea. I think of the handsome ferryman, then I think of Roisin and Thorn who wait so patiently on the shore...where will we go from here?