‘We worried too,’ said Iseult. ‘You were so lost and so alone and nothing we could do would make a difference.’

‘But that is exactly it,’ said Mac excitedly. ‘There was nothing that either of you could do other than be here when I finally managed to escape myself.’

The candle flickered slightly, as if listening.

‘Imagine what would have happened had I come back to find that there was no one left waiting for me?’

Mac stood up.

‘That is what we now need to do for Inteachán. Rather than trying to find her, we just need to be ready for when she finds her way back to us.’