The farther we move away from Eire, the lighter I feel. I didn't realize how much my life at Inver Colpa was weighing me down. It must have piled up on me gradually, pebble by pebble, stone by stone, so that I had no notice of what burdens I bore. Now I feel that heaviness lifting like the mists rise from the land at daybreak.

This boat seems to be as much a part of Amlaidh as his very breath. He is in complete command of every piece, from the hollow of its body to the top of the pole where the huge red banner catches the wind. He even seems in command of the sea itself, which rolls so smoothly compared to my last voyage. I had so many fears when I boarded this vessel and I knew I would be sick, as always. But there is no need for me to cower dismally in the middle of this boat, as I did on Dobhar's ship. I don't even care if the wind tangles my hair!

I keep watching as Eire becomes a dark line, then disappears completely. And still I keep watching, half expecting to see Dobhar's craft skimming the waves in pursuit of us. But there is nothing in sight except the sea, in all directions. Finally I feel safe.

Amlaidh and I pass the time by sharing our stories. I tell him how I came to Inver Colpa and what it was like before that. I tell him of my father and the treachery that befell him. "I should have become the leader of our tribe then, but I was taken hostage..."

After a tasty meal, I feel quite peaceful. The rocking of the boat as it leaps wave after wave after wave after wave lulls me to sleep.

In a dream, I am bound with tiny golden chains to Dobhar. I feel his hands on me, his sinewy arms crushing me against him, I smell his sweat and the strangely sweet perfume of his lovemaking. Then the sun rises and shines through the walls of our hut, warming the bed. In the dream, the sun begins to melt the golden chains. It melts Dobhar too. There is nothing left, nothing left at all.

I wake up with the sun in my eyes and the wind in my hair. Amlaidh smiles down at me as if he knows what I've been dreaming.