"'Twas not just the first chief who was healed at Loch Gheasaibh," Reas said. "When I was a lad, one of my cousins was cured of a disease after going in the loch and he lived more than three score years longer. There is something special about the water. It tastes different. We used to drink from it all the time. 'Haps that's why I'm still healthy at my age. Most of the water of the Highlands is dark because it runs through the peat, but the water of Loch Gheasaibh is crystal clear. It comes from a spring."
"'Haps it isn't pagan magic," Mairiana said. "It could be the stones and minerals in the water which gives it healing properties."
"Mayhap." Reas nodded.
"How far away is it?" Mairiana asked.
"Two or three miles," Osgar said.
"If we can find a couple of men to carry Darack, we could take him there tonight," Nora whispered.
"Aye, and what of Father Bhradain?" Osgar asked.
"He need not know," Nora said. "We'll slip Darack out after the priest retires for the night."
"Do you think this is wise?" Gertie asked. "I have never known the loch to heal anyone."
"You are new here, too," Osgar said.
"I've lived here nigh on ten years!" she exclaimed.
"You consider that a long time? Try eighty years," Osgar said. "And aye, the loch has miraculous healing powers. I don't ken how, but it does work. I didn't tell Father Bhradain the whole story, but when I was young, many were healed there. In fact, we did not even need a healer in those days."
"You are a mad old man," Gertie said.
Osgar cackled.
"Let me know what you decide." Gertie stormed out.
"Are you certain this will help Darack?" Mairiana bit her fingernail.
"Nay, child," Osgar said in a somber tone. "Naught is certain. If 'tis his time to go, then he will. But only the Almighty knows that."
After the elders wandered out, Mairiana turned to Nora. "What shall we do?"
"I believe we should try it. My friend swore to me 'twas the loch which healed her. She had been sick for a long time. A female problem. She had an infection and could not have children. Since then, she has borne two bairns."
Mairiana frowned. "Is it some sort of fertility loch?"
"Nay, 'tis for any health condition. My friend told me of two other people she knew who had been healed. One had a sword wound."
"In truth?" Mairiana blinked back tears as hope filled her.
Nora nodded. "They swam in the loch and were cured."
"If more people knew about it, more people could be healed," Mairiana said.
"Aye, but we rarely speak of it publicly for fear someone will accuse us of being heathens."
Mairiana shook her head. "If it truly works, I believe it is a gift from God."
"As do I."
Nora clasped both her hands, sudden tears glimmering in her eyes. "More than anything I want Darack to recover, you two to marry and have ten bairns."
Ten bairns? Shock went through Mairiana and it must have shown on her face for Nora chuckled, despite her tears, and embraced her. "I will see you tonight." She kissed Darack's forehead, then hurried out.
"Good heavens!" Mairiana whispered, then drew in a deep breath.
