We meet by the road at high noon, as routine requires.

Enna has become so disheartened by the empty search that he doesn't even bother to come down from the hills. He sends a boy to deliver the message. Nothing of Flidais has been found. I suspect Enna's group has given up searching and has turned their talents to more useful ends. The last time they returned to the keep, they brought with them a freshly killed boar. I had no appetite for the feast.

Fraoch's group comes late and at a lazy canter down the road. Seeing the speed of their approach, my hopes rise, especially since Thunder-Spear is now in their company. Their haste, though, was only because of the distance they had to cover. One bit of news was that someone tried to set An Cailleach na Muir afire in the wee hours of the night. Fortunately a traveller alerted Creidne just as the torch was thrown, and she was able to douse the flames before much damage was done.

"Suspicious, isn't it? Send Torann Thunder Spear to question Creidne about who was there just before the fire. It may be connected somehow with the Rian's disappearance. Tell him to hurry and come back to me immediately with whatever he learns."

The old sage Nevvyn and trusty MacMorna have gone off on their own. When I see Mac striding purposefully up from the river path with Nevvyn puffing along behind him, it kindles a dim spark of optimism.

What they've found fans the spark to a bright blaze of hope. At last there is a beacon to show the way!

I give a blast on the war horn to summon everyone for a rough and ready war council. There is no more wasting of time. We must ride southward to Laigin and Dun Ailinn as quickly as we can - while the Rian still lives!

A few of the warriors are sent back to the keep to fetch us provisions and supplies for several days. I pull three twigs from a low hanging branch and give them to Mac. He knows what to do. Turning his back, he breaks one of the twigs off and leaves the other two long. Then he arranges them in his closed fist so that no one can tell which is which. Enna, Fraoch and I will draw to see who will stay behind with a small war band and guard An Caiseal.

As Cath Milidh, I take the first turn. Fraoch nods at Enna to pull the next one. There's no need for Fraoch to draw. Enna throws down his broken twig and stalks off, cursing bitterly.

I take the broken brooch from Mac and fasten it on a pin beside my own. Finding the owner of this pretty piece of work should be a bloody pleasure because wherever I find him, the Rian shall be waiting for me!