Summary

Chapter 31 is titled “The Raft.” Ned had taken off his gloves for a moment, and the fire was “mostly” and accident. His hands were burning, but Ned appreciated the heat against the chill of the forest. When Ned “imagined himself heated all the way through,” the magic set fire to a pile of dried grass and pine needles. Ned feels he is on fire. The magic urges Ned to ask for water. Ned manages to put out the fire without help. He hears a howl in the distance. Aine believes she did not need the wolf, but she is relieved when it arrives. She tells the wolf that Ned needs to get away from the bandits. The wolf runs away, howling as it runs so the bandits believe there are many wolves. The bandits run away. Aine reaches Ned. He says the fire...