I wake before I open my eyes. I hear footsteps and I remember my new companions. I rub my eyes open and sit up to see Moss barely walking. I think to say, "Goodmorning!", but instead I put the back of my tongue to my top front teeth and scrape it backword, removing all of the fur.

"Go raibh maith agat!" Moss introduces herself.

"Goodmorning!" There it is. I smile, "It was nothing, really! I like to do...what I can do...eh...when I can do it!" There it isn't. Maybe I should have slept a bit longer.

We eat a light meal and keep the conversation light, lest we dwell on Moss' missing husband, Feargus, the warrior. We decide to head out straight away and pack our things. As we leave the village of Cunga for The Crannog, I remember my a memory of my childhood. I briefly remember the land between the Loughs and the stream that runs from Mask to Corrib. I stop and turn to my friends.

"What are you smiling about?"

"We need a branch of... Birch."

Now THEY stare at ME blankly.

"For fishing! Ha! We'll have fish for lunch. Or dinner!"

I bade them to stop for a moment. I go to the side of the lightly wooded road and peer through the tree trunks. Nothing I can use. No birch. I face the troupe and break the horrible news. "Och, lets be going. I'll keep point and scout ahead for bandits and the like...and for some birch. I'll have us some salmon yet!"