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The birds began to sing a little earlier that day Even before the glow of dawn, their chorus had begun Alison lay beneath a waro outside and rekindle the fire

She pushed at the mat that served as the door of their hut and looked out The weather had turned cold and frost covered the ground

Four moons had passed since they had arrived on the island She had often asked Miralda when they would be able to leave and deliver the burden of Balduur's head to its final resting place The old woman always said that the time had not yet come and they would knohen it had arrived

She replaced the mat and returned to her bed She liked the little hut that Fury had built He was good at things like that but he wasn't the ht her that Fury was tis of love were just songs He knew nolove than she did

He awoke and looked outside anxiously

'The birdsthat's a warning call'

He often took fright Alison had got used to it She watched as he squeezed through the narrow doorway, pulling on his clothes The birds were squawking louder now She could tell soht

Fury reappeared 'We've got to leave' He tugged at her feet 'You get Miralda I'll take our things down to the coracles'

'What's happening?'

'So'

'Shouldn't we find out who it is?'

'No' Fury shook his head 'By the time we've done that it could be too late Do like the birds They take flight when danger approaches and they don't return until it's safe'

What Fury said made sense Alison dressed hurriedly and went in search of Miralda She found her beside the creek The old woown and carried Balduur's head in a bag that hung about her neck

'We must leave at once,' Alison said

'Why is that,us'

'I hear them,' Miralda replied, 'and I hear another sound'

Alison listened 'All I can hear is a sort of squeaking'

'Yes, my child It is the sound a weaselin a boat?'

Alison shook her head

'I think we should return the call' The old woh-pitched squeaks Moments later, a coracle appeared It left the ap in the reeds