‘However,’ continued Mac, ‘I learned to my great cost that I was both right and wrong together. And it is the fact of this error that has caused me the most pain and has led to the loss of Inteachán.’

‘Inteachán?’ asked Gilly.

‘The orphaned daughter of my most gifted research student who, and even though I swore I would protect and keep her safe from harm, I have done nothing but place in peril ever since.’

Mac looked really pained.

‘And where is she now?’ asked Iseult tenderly.

‘Most likely dead deep beneath Tibradden Mountain,’ sobbed Mac. ‘And it is all my fault.’