I climb the steep path up the hill. As I approach the circle of stones, I find that I am not the first to arrive. Gorma sings and dances with wild abandon, inside the circle. I wait at the edge, in the shadow of one of the larger stones, until she slows and opens her eyes.

"Greetings of the day, Sage!" she says quite breathlessly.

"And to you, as well!" I reply. "It seems as though we had just quit each other's company but a moment ago," I laugh. "I come to sing up the Day Star. Will you join me?"

Together, we face the east and the growing pearly glow of the impending dawn. I begin the chant, arms raised to the sky. She joins in with a descant, which somehow makes a hamony with my gruff old voice. Soon, the sun breaks the watery horizon and our song is through for another day.

As we walk back to the keep to break our fast, I tell her of the strange news. She, in turn describes what she saw in the late evening of the previous night. Verica has vanished, and in the company of Amlaidh, no less! Now, who will I find to plad Fidchell with?