'More visitors.'

'Bandits?' Cait looked around quickly, but could not see anyone. 'Where?'

'Just there.' He indicated a clump of villagers a few dozen paces before them. Cait had been looking for horses and riders, and missed the two pale, slender figures standing directly in her path. Like Brother Timotheus, they were dressed in hooded robes of undyed wool and, judging from the enthusiastic welcome they were receiving from the villagers, they were well known and well liked.

'They arrived last night-burst in on us during the service,' the priest was saying. 'Ah, here are two of them now!' He motioned Cait and Rognvald to join them. 'Here, I was just telling Sister Efa about you. And this,' he said, indicating the woman next to her, 'is Sister Siaran.'

'God's peace to you, sisters,' Cait said. 'I am pleased to meet you. I am Caitriona, and this is Lord Rognvald of Haukeland in Norway.'

Both nuns pressed their hands together and inclined their heads politely. 'God bless you and keep you,' they intoned together.

When everyone had become a little better acquainted, Brother Timotheus said, 'I believe these good people have business with Abbess Annora. I was going to send word to you today, although now, as you are here, I will let them speak for themselves.' Before Cait could open her mouth, however, the priest said, 'But come, it is cold and they will have made a warming drink for us. Let us discuss matters over our cups before the fire.'

They proceeded to Dominico's house where, as Timotheus had predicted, a cauldron of hot, spiced ale was just being poured into jars-much to the noisy delight of the knights, who extolled the virtues of their host with rousing cheers as they drank his health, and that of his sons, and wife, and daughters.

Cait, Rognvald and the two sisters settled on benches in a corner of the room and the priest went to fetch the ale. 'It is such a beautiful morning,' said Cait, easing her way into the conversation. 'Have you travelled far?'

The sister called Efa replied, 'A small distance, my lady.'

That was all she said, and when it appeared there was no more forthcoming, Rognvald spoke up. 'Your robes are very like Brother Timo's here. Are you of the same order?'

'Yes, my lord,' she said, and looked down at her hands folded tightly in her lap.

'I see,' he said. 'Then you are Cele De, too.'

The two glanced quickly at one another in nervous amazement. 'You know of the Cele De?' asked the one called Siaran.

'I know all about them,' he said confidently. 'Lady Caitriona here is a stalwart defender of the order. Her family's lands support a monastery in the far north-a place called Caithness. Have you ever heard of it?'

The nuns shook their heads. 'It is true, my lady?' asked a wide-eyed Sister Efa. 'Your family maintains a monastery?'

'Yes,' Cait assured them. 'And my uncle is abbot of the order.'

'Truly?' wondered Brother Timotheus, returning just then. 'Celebrations came between us somewhat last night, but I still want to hear all about this haven in the north.'

'You must be Alethea's sister,' volunteered Sister Siaran.

'She is that,' said Rognvald, beaming with the pleasure of making these small revelations.

'We have been searching for her,' explained Cait quickly. 'Brother Timo told us she was with you.' Cait smiled, trying to put the timid sisters at their ease. 'I understand she is well.'

'Yes, my lady,' replied Efa, then lapsed into silence once more.

'Where is she? I want to see her at once. Is it far?'

The two sisters exchanged an uncertain glance, but said nothing.

'Is there something which prevents me from bringing her home?' asked Cait, growing frustrated with their reticence.

'Allow me, my lady,' said Timotheus. Addressing the two young nuns, he said, Tf I am not mistaken, you have been instructed not to speak of this matter-am I right?'

Sister Siaran, looking at her hands in her lap, nodded.

'There! You see?' cried Timotheus, as if this were the answer to all their troubles.

'But why should they refuse to speak about it? I am her sister,' Cait said, 'we have been searching for her a very long time. I want to see her, and -'

'Please, please,' said Timotheus quickly, 'all in good time. I imagine the abbess will have her reasons.'

'Then I will not press you,' Cait replied, trying to remain calm and reasonable. 'But you must take me to her. Please, I need to see her -you must understand.'

'But my lady -' protested Efa, looking to Brother Timotheus for help.

'It may not be convenient -' the priest began.

'I want to go to my sister,' she insisted, her tone growing sharp. 'I do not care if it is convenient or not. We have travelled a very long way and… people have died.' Her voice broke and hot tears came to her eyes. 'I have to see and know she is well.'

Rognvald put his hand on her shoulder and she allowed herself to be drawn close. 'It is true,' he said to Timotheus. 'We have endured many hardships in the search. It seems a needless cruelty to deny us when we are so close.'

'Forgive me, my friends,' said Timotheus soothingly. 'I have spoken without sufficient forethought.' He gave Cait's hand a fatherly pat. 'You shall see your sister, of course you shall. This very day.'

'We will leave at once,' Rognvald said, 'and go as swiftly as horses can carry us.'

'Oh, no!' said the priest shaking his head in dismay. 'It is not permitted.'

'What?' said the knight. 'Are you saying horses are not permitted?'

'Men are not permitted!' replied Timotheus. 'Nor weapons, either. The abbey contains women only. You must stay behind, my friend. The abbess is most strict about this. In all my years I have never known an exception.'

'Perhaps I may be allowed to escort the women part way,' suggested Rognvald. 'Would there be any objection to that, do you think?'

'Providing you left your weapons behind,' the priest agreed, 'I suppose it would be allowed.'

'Thank you, brother,' Cait said, 'I am much obliged.' She stood quickly. 'I will gather my things and make ready to go.'

'I would still prefer to announce your arrival,' Timotheus answered, 'but in light of your feelings, I see no reason why we cannot forgo that formality. Yes, why not? When the sisters have concluded their visit, you shall return to the abbey with them.'

Cait hurried away, leaving the others to finish their festive ale. When she returned a short while later, she was dressed in her best clothes and her hair had been brushed and her face washed until the skin glowed. She fairly hummed with happy anticipation as she hurried outside where Rognvald had brought horses for Cait and himself, and one for the two nuns, dubious riders at best, to share.

Brother Timotheus and some of the villagers accompanied them to the edge of the settlement, and bade them farewell. The nuns pointed out the path, and they quickly found themselves on a steeply rising trail leading into the mountains which towered above the village. They rode in silence, enjoying the crisp, crystalline beauty of the day, listening to the birds in the snow-laden branches of the tall pines growing alongside the trail. After a time, they left the trees behind; the track became more narrow and winding as it snaked up and up into a sky of blazing blue.

The snow-covered path bent inward, following a fold in the mountainside. The sides of the trail rose high and sheer as the walls of a fortress, and when the riders emerged once more, they could see the little village far, far below, snug in its hollow, as if nestled in the palm of a gigantic hand, the surrounding peaks like fingers.

Another bend removed the village from sight, and they came to a chasm dividing two peaks. The gorge was deep and narrow, spanned by a simple bridge made of rope and wood. Rognvald reined in and dismounted; he examined the bridge and concluded that he dare not risk taking horses across. 'The abbey is not far,' Sister Efa told them. 'We will walk from here.'