The Swan and the Seal

The first novella in this series was a 'getting together' story. In this sequel, we switch from Reggie's to Kelp's point of view, and see the couple after a rocky reuniting and how Kelp struggles to regain Reggie's trust. The Irish countryside and in particular, the Dowth burial mound at Newgrange, plays a major role in the plot. Reggie accepts an archaeological studies contract there and Kelp goes with him, but soon finds himself bored- and mute, after an unexpected encounter with a cromwight, or burial specter. The second half of the story shows how they deal with Kelp's muteness in different ways. We meet Reggie's distinctive mother, as well as two magus women from Kelp's past who demand that he help them because he owes them for something. At the end they've been invited to England by Reggie's mother and Kelp wants to go, but feels an irrational trepidation.