."

"And, mistress--you will tell me if--"

"Surely. Now go."

Brian tried to open his eyes, but could not. He tried to move, but could
not; and realized at length that he was lying on a bed, and that a
bandage was on his head and others on his limbs.

Suddenly a hand fell on his cheek, and a thrill shot through him; his
beard had been shaved away, for he could feel the softness of the hand
against his chin. He felt the hand passed over his mouth--and he kissed
it.

There was a startled gasp, then the soft hand returned to his cheek.

"Brian! Are you awake at last?"

"I seem to be," he said, though his voice sounded more like a whisper.
"Is that you, Nuala? Where are we?"

"Yes, it is I," came her voice softly, and something warm splashed on
his cheek. "Oh, Brian! I so feared that--that you were dead!"

The hand moved away, and he moved uneasily, to feel pain through his
body.

"Nay, put back your hand!" he said. He tried to smile. "There, that's
better. Where are we, Nuala? On your ship?"

"No, Brian--at Gorumna. But I forgot. Turlough said you must not talk--"

"Oh, curse Turlough," he cried in irritation. "Gorumna? What has
happened? Where is the Dark Master?"

"Lie still or I must leave you!" she cried sharply, and he obeyed. "The
Dark Master's head is over the gate, Brian. It is two days since the
fight."

"Take that bandage from my eyes, Nuala," he said. After a minute her
hands went to his head, and as he felt the bandage removed, light
dazzled him, and he shut his eyes with a groan. Then he opened them
again, and gradually he made out the figure of Nuala leaning over him,
while a cresset shed light from above.

"Tell me what has happened," said Brian quietly, as he tried again to
move and failed. "Why am I helpless here?"

"Because you are wounded," she replied softly. "Please lie quiet, Brian!
I will tell you all that has chanced."

"Where is Cathbarr! Did we win?"

"Yes, we won; but--but Cathbarr--he must have flung away his ax before
the ship exploded, for we found it sticking in your boat, and--"

Her voice broke, and a pang of bitterness shot through Brian as he
remembered it all now. He groaned.

"And I left him there to die! Oh, coward that I am--coward, and false to
my friend--"

A great sob shook his body, but Nuala's hands fell on his face, and
there was fear in her voice when she answered him.

"No, Brian--don't say that! If any one's fault, it was Shaun's for not
coming