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She shook her head and pushed some of her wet hair away from her face. There was something remarkable about her beauty. It was as though Ruairi was seeing her for the first time.

“Kenna, I hae watched ye help on the boat. Ye earned the respect of my crew, and that’s no easy thing tae dae. I’m nae saying this is gaeing tae be easy, but it’s possible. We just hae tae stick taegether, and we can make it back home.”

Kenna sniffed and nodded, resolving herself to her fate. They took one last lingering look at the shore and then turned away, knowing that they had to get out of their wet clothes before they made them ill.

They climbed up the shoreline and followed a narrow path inland. Ruairi felt guilty about leaving the shore just in case any of his men made their way there, but he knew the chances of that were slim. It was a miracle he and Kenna had survived. He hardened his heart and led Kenna away. They were both still weak from the storm, and walked slowly. Thankfully it was a warm day, and this helped to dry their clothes, although they were still torn and tattered. They managed to find some fruit from trees, which helped to stave off their hunger for the time being, although they needed a proper meal.

After they had been walking for the better part of the day, they gasped with relief when they saw a thin steeple rising into the sky. They walked into a small village. People stared at them wide-eyed, as though they were ghouls that had risen from their graves. It wasn’t far from the truth. They nodded at the villagers, all of whom were too scared to say anything back.

When they reached the church, they found a single priest lighting candles. He turned to them and spoke to them in a stream of French. It had been a while since Ruairi had had dealings with the French, but he managed to pick up most of what the priest was saying. He communicated that they had been caught in the storm and washed up on shore, and asked the priest for a little food and shelter, and perhaps a change of clothes. The priest did not hesitate in welcoming them in. He sat them down by the candles, and they were grateful for the warmth. He brought them soup and some clothes, which were rough and scratchy, but better than sitting in a puddle of wet rags. After eating a little, they felt much better, then looked at their surroundings.

“It haes been a long time since I hae been in a place like this,” Ruairi said.

“I prayed for us tae be rescued from the storm. I suppose my prayers were answered. Are ye a God-fearing man, Ruairi?”

Ruairi laughed. “I suppose I hae prayed once or twice during my time at sea. But my family haes always been a wee bit more traditional. There are tales of spirits that live in the forest nearby, some who watch over us, and some who play tricks on us. I never gave much thought tae it myself, but my ma and sister believe.”

“Well, whether it be spirits or God, I’m glad that someone is watching out for us,” Kenna said with a smile. She seemed a lot more composed now that she had had something to eat. As the candlelight flickered upon her features, Ruairi noticed how beautiful she was. He turned his gaze away, feeling ashamed to think of her like that. She deserved better than some merchant captain, especially one without a ship.

The priest offered them shelter for the night in the church’s barn. It was packed with hay, and there was an opening in the roof where they could stare at the stars. It had been a long day, and Ruairi reflected on all he had lost. For years, he had trusted the sea, and then it had taken away everything he had. In a way, it was like dying. He spared a thought for his crew, and hoped that some of them had managed to make their way to shore as well. He also thought about home, and how ironic it was that when he was finally ready to return, he was cast away, swept aside by the hand of fate.

And what of Kenna?he thought. She would have been married if she had not turned away from her sickly husband. He wanted to tell her that he was sorry. He wanted to tell her so many things because now they only had each other. But she was already asleep, and soon he followed.