Donovan, Volume 3 (of 3) : $b A novel

In the waning light of a September harvest festival, Donovan finds himself perched on the cliff‑edge of Porthkerran’s old stone churchyard, the sea’s hush mingling with the distant murmur of prayers. The scene is vivid—granite towers, slate tombstones, and a restless dog named Waif—yet he feels oddly detached, watching the village’s festive bustle from a distance. A playful quarrel with the vivacious Nesta and the odd mention of a “skeleton” hint at the eccentric ties that bind him to the Tremain household, even as he retreats to his study, yearning for something he cannot yet name.

Beneath the ritual of the service, Donovan wrestles with an unexpected envy for the Tremains’ serene conviction in their faith. Their quiet certainty stands in stark contrast to his own restless doubts, stirring a deep desire to belong to a belief that feels both foreign and alluring. As the night deepens, his internal dialogue becomes a search for the “water bright” that might finally ease his unease, setting the stage for a journey that will test both heart and mind.