Three weeks passed, during which Isobel started her training and Frang was working hard to catch her up to the others. She still worked with a basic stick and her footwork. She was squeezing her seed bags in the evening, although her sewing was also strengthening her fingers. The good and hearty food and Ailene's constant urging to eat had added about fifteen pounds to Isobel's frame and she looked more lovely each day.

There had been no sign of Màiri and Ailene worried constantly. The family hadn't heard anything either and Ailene continued to send enough money for food and medicine to assuage her guilt. They'd sent a cart...