"What is it, Alan-mo-ghray; what is the trouble that is upon you?"
"It is a trouble, Ian, but one of which I can speak little, for it is little I know."
"Now, now, for sure you must tell me what it is."
"I have seen a man here upon Rona whom I have not seen or met before, and it is one whose face is known to me, and whose voice too, and one whom I would not meet again."
"Did he give you no name?"
"None."
"Where did he come from? Where did he go to?"
"He came out of the shadow, and into the shadow he went."
Ian looked steadfastly at Alan, his wistful gaze searching deep into his unquiet eyes, and thence from feature to feature of the face which had become strangely worn of late.