"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—"