The Harp and the Blade (33 page)

Once more I looked out over the bridge, knowing with unshakeable positiveness that a clear way lay before me. No further incidents would occur to keep me in this country which had held so much for me. The power of the Pict, or whatever it was, was through with me.

Oh well! I began limping toward where Conan was waiting. Ann had sense enough to walk away when she saw me coming; but she would have told him, and he would know better than try to dissuade me from leaving.

He looked as done in and dispirited as I felt while I drew near where he stood with sagging shoulders, gazing at me haggardly through sweat-lank hair that he didn’t bother to brush from his eyes. “Let’s get drunk,” he said when we had looked at each other a minute.

“Thank God for the wine,” I said.