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I frowned. “Damn. Okay, how about if I speak? I’ll keep you awake with a story and you will nod so I know you’re listening.”

He was quiet.

“Torin, did you hear me?”

He said quietly, “I am havin’ trouble hearin’ ye.”

I spoke louder, “I will tell you a story to keep you awake.”

“... aye.” bIt was less agreement and more like a grunt of appeasement.

I thought for a moment. “Did I ever tell you about the bakery in town?”

“Nae… bread bakery?”

“Yes, of course.”

“‘…of course,’” he mumbled, “…yet ye might mean many other…”

“True, yeah, you’re right.” I huffed. “We need to get you to a doctor, is there a doctor around here?”

He said, “Not likely… verra far in the past... I daena ken if yer story ought tae include food… I am famished…”

“Good point, me too. I’ll talk about something else. Okay, how about this then, did I tell you about the moon landing?”

“…what is it…?”

“We sent a rocket ship with men to the moon and they landed on it. They walked on it.”

“Tis true, mo leannan…?”

“Yes, Albannach, it was amazing⁠—”

A sound carried up from the lower path.

I put up a hand to signal to Torin. “Something over there.”

“I daena hear it.” He pulled the reins so we stilled.

I looked around, listening. Then whispered, “Hooves.”

The sound was muffled but steady.

Torin tensed. “Wheesht.” His arm tightened around me.

Then I heard it, men on the path below.

Hair raised on the back of my neck. It freaked me out that I noticed them before Torin.

I pointed and felt him nod behind me as he guided Cathbarr behind a cluster of wind-scoured rocks and low gorse.

Dude, tucked securely in the pack, let out a soft, disgruntled meow.

Below us, three riders emerged from the mist, cloaked and watchful, heading south at a trot.

Torin whispered, “They daena carry MacDougall colors but we canna trust it.”

We watched the strangers pass, Torin’s body rigid against my back. Then, finally, when they disappeared around a bend, he exhaled sharply.