#Plaid API

[financeeverywherewithcashadvance]

The Technology Powering Instant Cash Advance Apps: Speed, Security, and APIs

In today's fast-paced digital world, consumers expect immediate access to services, and finance is no exception. The rise of instant cash advance apps reflects this demand, offering quick financial relief directly through smartphones. But what's the technology stack that makes these near-instantaneous transactions possible? It's a complex interplay of real-time payment networks, robust APIs, cloud infrastructure, and sophisticated security measures.

The Need for Speed: Why Instant Access Matters

The expectation for instant gratification has permeated consumer behavior. When facing unexpected expenses, waiting days for funds to clear is often impractical. Financial institutions and fintech innovators recognized this gap, leading to solutions designed for speed and convenience. Instant cash advance apps leverage technology to meet this critical user need, providing access to funds within minutes in many cases. This immediacy requires a seamless and highly efficient backend infrastructure.

Core Technologies Enabling Instant Transfers

Several key technologies underpin the functionality of instant cash advance applications. Understanding these components is crucial for appreciating both the capabilities and the challenges involved in building and maintaining these services.

Real-Time Payment Networks (RTP)

Traditional bank transfers (ACH) can take several business days. Modern instant finance apps often utilize newer rails like The Clearing House's RTP® network or similar real-time systems. These networks operate 24/7/365, enabling payment processing and settlement in seconds, forming the backbone of instant transfer capabilities. Implementing RTP requires significant integration effort but provides a vastly superior user experience.

Secure API Integrations

To assess eligibility and facilitate transfers, apps need secure access to users' bank account information. This is typically achieved through APIs provided by financial data aggregators like Plaid. These APIs act as secure intermediaries, allowing apps to verify account details, check balances, and initiate transfers without storing sensitive login credentials, thus enhancing security and user trust. Developers must carefully manage API keys and data handling protocols.

Scalable Cloud Infrastructure

Handling fluctuating demand and ensuring high availability requires a robust and scalable infrastructure. Most fintech apps rely on cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure. These platforms provide the necessary computing power, storage, and network capabilities to process transactions quickly and reliably, scaling resources up or down based on real-time user activity. This elasticity is vital for maintaining performance during peak times.

Security and Compliance: Non-Negotiables in Fintech

Moving money instantly introduces significant security challenges, primarily concerning fraud prevention and data protection.

Advanced Fraud Prevention

Instant transactions leave little room for manual review, necessitating automated fraud detection systems. Many apps employ machine learning algorithms to analyze transaction patterns, user behavior, and device information in real-time to identify and block potentially fraudulent activities. Continuous monitoring and model refinement are essential to stay ahead of evolving threats.

Data Protection and Compliance

Protecting sensitive user data is paramount. Apps must adhere to strict data security standards, such as those outlined by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI DSS) for handling cardholder data. Implementing end-to-end encryption, secure authentication methods, and regular security audits are critical components of a trustworthy financial application. Compliance ensures user data is handled responsibly.

Comparing App Models and User Experience

While the underlying technology shares similarities, the business models and user experiences of fee-free instant cash advance apps can vary significantly. Some apps charge subscription fees, interest, or expedite fees for faster transfers. Others adopt different revenue models. For developers and consumers alike, understanding these differences is key. Exploring resources that compare instant cash advance apps can provide valuable insights into features, costs, and transfer speeds.

One alternative approach is seen with apps like Gerald, which offers fee-free cash advances and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options. Gerald generates revenue through partnerships when users shop within its ecosystem, allowing it to forgo typical service fees. To access a fee-free cash advance transfer, users first need to utilize a BNPL advance. For users with supported banks, Gerald even offers instant transfers at no extra cost, showcasing how technology can enable innovative, user-centric financial models.

The Future of Instant Finance Tech

The technology behind instant cash advance apps continues to evolve. We can expect further integration of AI for personalization and risk assessment, broader adoption of real-time payment networks, and enhanced security measures like biometric authentication. As developers push the boundaries, the goal remains to provide faster, safer, and more accessible financial tools.

[jazzlrsposts]

Building the Future of Finance: A Comprehensive Guide to Fintech App Development

In an age of rapid digital transformation, financial services are being revolutionized by technology at an unprecedented pace. From mobile banking to AI-powered investment platforms, Fintech apps are reshaping how we interact with money. Whether you're a startup founder or a product manager at an established financial institution, understanding the core elements of fintech app development is critical to staying ahead.

This guide walks you through the key stages, challenges, and trends in building a successful fintech application.

Why Fintech Matters More Than Ever

The global fintech market is projected to reach $936 billion by 2030, driven by increasing demand for contactless payments, online lending, digital wallets, and crypto-based services. Consumers expect seamless, secure, and personalized financial experiences—creating both opportunity and pressure for fintech innovators.

Types of Fintech Applications

Before development begins, it’s important to define the niche your app will serve. Common categories include:

Mobile Banking Apps (e.g., Revolut, Chime)

Peer-to-Peer Payment Systems (e.g., Venmo, PayPal)

Investment & Trading Platforms (e.g., Robinhood, eToro)

Lending Platforms (e.g., LendingClub)

Personal Finance Management Tools (e.g., Mint, YNAB)

Insurtech Apps

Blockchain/Crypto Wallets & Exchanges

Key Features of a Successful Fintech App

To meet user expectations and regulatory standards, your app must offer:

Secure Authentication (Biometrics, MFA)

Real-Time Transaction Updates

Data Encryption & Protection

Regulatory Compliance (e.g., KYC, AML, PSD2)

User-Friendly Interface (UI/UX)

Integration with Banks and Payment Gateways

AI/ML for Personalization or Risk Assessment

Tech Stack for Fintech App Development

Here’s a typical stack to consider:

Frontend:

Frameworks: React Native, Flutter, Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android)

Tools: Redux, Axios

Backend:

Languages: Node.js, Python (Django), Java (Spring Boot)

Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB

APIs: Plaid, Stripe, Paystack, Yodlee

Cloud Services: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud

Security:

OAuth 2.0

SSL/TLS Encryption

Tokenization

End-to-End Encryption

Regulatory & Compliance Considerations

Navigating legal regulations is crucial. Depending on your region and service type, ensure compliance with:

PCI DSS (for card payments)

GDPR/CCPA (data privacy)

KYC & AML (identity and fraud prevention)

PSD2/Open Banking Regulations (EU/UK)

Working with a legal advisor or compliance consultant during the early development stages is highly recommended.

Development Process in 6 Key Stages

Market Research & Ideation Validate your idea by studying user needs, competitors, and industry trends.

Prototyping & UX/UI Design Create wireframes and interactive prototypes to visualize the user journey.

Architecture & Tech Stack Planning Choose scalable, secure, and interoperable technologies.

Core Development Build frontend, backend, and APIs while adhering to secure coding practices.

Testing & QA Conduct unit tests, security audits, and user acceptance testing (UAT).

Deployment & Maintenance Launch on app stores or web, monitor performance, and roll out updates continuously.

Common Challenges in Fintech App Development

Ensuring High-Level Security

Complying with Complex Financial Regulations

Achieving Smooth Integration with Third-Party APIs

Building User Trust in Early Adoption

Scaling Infrastructure to Handle High Volume Transactions

Future Trends in Fintech Development

Stay ahead by exploring these emerging trends:

AI-Powered Financial Advisors (Robo-Advisors)

Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

Voice-Activated Banking

Biometric and Behavioral Security

Embedded Finance & Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS)

Final Thoughts

Fintech app development is more than just coding a payment feature—it’s about transforming the way people experience finance. With the right strategy, technology, and security approach, you can build applications that are not only functional but genuinely change lives.

Whether you’re creating a neobank or an AI-driven investment tool, success lies in combining innovation, compliance, and trust.

[fintechpoliciestemplates]

Comment gérer efficacement la trésorerie de votre startup fintech ? Guide pratique : Gestion de trésorerie pour startups fintech 1. Prévision des flux de trésorerie - Établir un tableau de bord de trésorerie sur 12-18 mois - Mettre à jour les prévisions hebdomadairement - Utiliser des outils comme Float ou Agicap 2. Optimisation du fonds de roulement - Négocier des délais de paiement fournisseurs - Accélérer l'encaissement clients (facturation rapide, relances) - Gérer efficacement les stocks 3. Stratégies de financement à court terme - Ligne de crédit bancaire - Affacturage - Financement participatif - Subventions et aides publiques 4. Gestion des risques financiers - Diversifier les sources de financement - Surveiller les ratios financiers clés - Mettre en place une politique de couverture de change 5. Outils utiles - Logiciels : Quickbooks, Xero, Wave - APIs bancaires : Plaid, TrueLayer - https://fr.fintechpolicies.com/comment-gerer-efficacement-la-tresorerie-de-votre-startup-fintech/?utm_source=tumblr&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fintech+policies+templates

[techit-rp]

Embedded Finance: The Future of Seamless Financial Integration in 2025

In 2025, one of the most transformative trends in the financial sector is the rise of embedded finance. As the boundaries between financial services and everyday platforms blur, embedded finance is quietly revolutionizing how consumers access and experience banking, lending, insurance, and payments. No longer confined to traditional banks or fintech apps, financial services are now being built directly into the digital experiences we use every day—from ride-hailing and e-commerce to travel booking and healthcare apps.

For aspiring professionals aiming to enter this fast-evolving sector, enrolling in an investment banking course in Delhi can be a strategic step to gain insights into how modern financial systems are being redefined.

What Is Embedded Finance?

Embedded finance refers to the integration of financial services into non-financial platforms and applications. This could mean offering payment gateways, lending, investment options, or insurance directly through platforms that were not traditionally in the financial domain. The key idea is to provide financial services as a feature, not a separate destination.

For example:

A food delivery app offering instant credit at checkout.

An online retailer providing "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) options.

A logistics company integrating fleet insurance within its platform.

By eliminating friction and bringing financial tools closer to the point of need, embedded finance enhances convenience, boosts user engagement, and opens new revenue streams for companies.

Why Embedded Finance Is Booming in 2025

1. Shift Toward Digital-First Experiences

The global shift toward digital living has accelerated demand for services that are fast, seamless, and convenient. Consumers now expect financial options to be part of their digital experience—not an extra step. Embedded finance fulfills this expectation by removing the need for third-party financial logins or standalone platforms.

2. Rise of APIs and Fintech Infrastructure

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have made it possible for non-financial companies to plug in financial capabilities within their apps easily. Fintech-as-a-Service (FaaS) providers such as Stripe, Razorpay, and Plaid are making it simple for businesses to offer payments, credit, or investment products without becoming a bank themselves.

3. Open Banking and Regulatory Support

Many countries, including India, are moving towards open banking regulations that support data sharing and integration. This regulatory environment encourages innovation while protecting consumer interests—creating the perfect storm for embedded finance to thrive.

4. Untapped Market Potential

A significant portion of India’s population remains underbanked or outside the formal credit system. Embedded finance offers an efficient route to financial inclusion by reaching users through platforms they already use and trust.

Industry Applications

Embedded finance is not limited to just one or two sectors. Here are some examples of how it's being adopted across industries:

E-commerce: BNPL, instant refunds, in-app wallets

Healthcare: EMI options for medical procedures, insurance offerings at point of care

Travel: Travel insurance and dynamic pricing tools embedded during booking

Real Estate: Mortgage calculators, loan approvals within listing platforms

Logistics: Integrated fleet insurance and expense tracking

Impact on Investment Banking and Financial Careers

The rise of embedded finance means that financial services are no longer the sole domain of traditional banks or fintech startups. Investment bankers, analysts, and finance professionals are now expected to understand cross-sector integration, platform economics, and fintech partnerships.

For this reason, professionals entering the industry must develop a broader skill set—something that a comprehensive investment banking course in Delhi can offer. Courses at leading institutions like the Boston Institute of Analytics are designed to prepare students for emerging trends like embedded finance, AI in banking, and digital transformation.

These programs cover:

Financial modeling for platform-based businesses

Risk analysis in embedded lending and insurance

Understanding digital payment infrastructures

M&A strategies involving fintech and e-commerce

By aligning your education with real-time industry trends, you can position yourself at the forefront of this financial evolution.

Challenges and Considerations

While embedded finance is an exciting development, it’s not without challenges:

Data Privacy: Integrating finance into non-financial platforms raises concerns around how customer data is used and protected.

Regulatory Oversight: As more companies offer financial products, questions arise around compliance and licensing.

Technology Risks: Poor integration or API failures could lead to financial loss or security breaches.

These risks highlight the importance of deep financial understanding and regulatory awareness—areas that are thoroughly addressed in structured finance education like an investment banking course in Delhi.

The Road Ahead

By 2030, experts predict that a significant portion of financial transactions will occur through embedded systems. Traditional banking may continue to exist, but the new value will be in ecosystems, where banks, businesses, and platforms collaborate to provide seamless services.

Embedded finance is more than just a trend; it's a foundational shift in how financial services are delivered. Businesses that adopt it early stand to gain customer loyalty, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage.

Conclusion

Embedded finance is no longer a niche innovation—it’s becoming the standard for how consumers interact with money. Whether you're a business owner looking to enhance customer experience or a professional aiming to build a future-ready finance career, now is the time to understand the mechanisms driving this change.

For those looking to develop expertise in this domain, an investment banking course in Delhi provides the knowledge, tools, and industry connections to thrive in the era of embedded finance.

[renatoferreiradasilva]

VENDIDO?!

Estratégia de Parcerias com Fintechs para a NeoSphere A integração com fintechs bancárias é crítica para viabilizar pagamentos locais, cross-border e aumentar a confiança do usuário. Abaixo, um plano detalhado:

1. Objetivos das Parcerias

Facilitar pagamentos locais (PIX no Brasil, SPEI no México, ACH nos EUA).

Permitir conversão automática fiat-cripto para transações internacionais.

Reduzir custos operacionais com taxas competitivas.

Oferecer soluções de crédito para criadores (ex: adiantamento de recebíveis de assinaturas).

2. Fintechs Estratégicas por Região

Brasil

Nubank: Parceria para integração direta com PIX, cartões virtuais e soluções de crédito para criadores.

PicPay: Pagamentos instantâneos e cashback em compras na plataforma.

C6 Bank: Integração com soluções de cripto (C6 Digital) e cross-border.

EUA

Stripe: Gateway unificado para ACH, cartões e stablecoins (USDC).

Plaid: Conectar contas bancárias para saques rápidos em dólar.

Circle: Conversão automática USD ↔ USDC com liquidez global.

América Latina (México, Argentina, Colômbia)

Mercado Pago (México/Argentina): Pagamentos via SPEI, Mercado Crédito para criadores.

dLocal (Uruguai): Gateway de pagamentos locais em 20+ países da LATAM.

Ripio (Argentina): Integração com criptomoedas e wallets não custodiais.

Parceiros Globais

Revolut: Contas multicurrency para criadores internacionais.

Wise: Transações cross-border com taxas baixas.

3. Benefícios para a NeoSphere

Localização Financeira:

Usuários pagam como preferem: PIX, boleto, OXXO (México), etc.

Saques em moeda local sem conversão manual.

Cross-Border Simplificado:

Um criador brasileiro recebe de um fã nos EUA via ACH → conversão automática para BRL ou USDC.

Soluções de Crédito:

Antecipação de receita baseada em histórico de assinaturas/vendas (ex: Nubank oferece crédito com taxa 1% ao mês).

Redução de Fraude:

Fintechs compartilham sistemas de antifraude (ex: Stripe Radar).

4. Modelos de Parceria

Revenue Sharing:

NeoSphere recebe % sobre transações processadas pelas fintechs (ex: 0,5% por PIX via Nubank).

White-Label:

Fintechs fornecem soluções embutidas na interface da NeoSphere (ex: PicPay como opção de checkout).

Cross-Promotion:

Nubank oferece cashback para usuários que assinarem criadores na NeoSphere.

Crédito Colaborativo:

Fintechs analisam dados de receita dos criadores na plataforma para oferecer empréstimos sob medida.

5. Integração Técnica

Camada de Pagamentos Unificada

API Gateway: Desenvolver uma camada intermediária que traduz solicitações da NeoSphere para APIs das fintechs.

Exemplo: python # Exemplo de integração com PIX (Brasil) e ACH (EUA) def process_payment(amount, currency, user_region): if user_region == "BR": response = nubank_api.pix_payment(amount, user_wallet) elif user_region == "US": response = stripe_api.ach_transfer(amount, user_bank_account) return response

Smart Contracts para Cross-Border:

Utilizar stablecoins (USDC, BRZ) como ponte para conversões internacionais via Circle e FlowBTC.

Exemplo: Um usuário mexicano compra um NFT em pesos → o valor é convertido para USDC → o criador recebe em BRL via PIX.

Segurança e Compliance

KYC/AML:

Integrar soluções das fintechs (ex: Stripe Identity, Nubank KYC) para verificação de usuários.

Tokenização de Dados:

Dados bancários sensíveis são armazenados tokenizados (ex: usando Vault da HashiCorp ou soluções das próprias fintechs).

6. Monetização para Fintechs

Taxas de Transação: Cobrança competitiva (ex: 0,7% para PIX vs. 2,9% para cartões).

Dados Anônimos para Crédito:

Fintechs acessam métricas agregadas (ex: ticket médio de criadores) para oferecer empréstimos.

Exclusividade Regional:

Parceria com uma fintech por país/região (ex: dLocal na América Latina fora do Brasil).

7. Riscos e Mitigação

RiscoMitigação Dependência de APIs externas Contratos com SLAs rígidos + ter providers secundários (ex: Stripe e Adyen). Regulação cambiária Trabalhar com stablecoins reguladas (USDC, BRZ) e fintechs especializadas. Concorrência entre fintechs Definir regiões/países exclusivos para cada parceiro.

8. Roadmap de Parcerias

FaseAções 3 meses Integrar PIX (Nubank) e ACH (Stripe) + USDC (Circle). 6 meses Parceria com dLocal para expansão na América Latina (México, Argentina). 12 meses Lançamento de soluções de crédito com Nubank e Mercado Crédito.

9. KPIs de Sucesso

Taxa de Conversão de Pagamentos: > 95% (vs. ~85% em marketplaces tradicionais).

Tempo Médio de Saque: < 24 horas para fiat, < 10 minutos para cripto.

Cobertura Geográfica: Suporte a 10+ métodos de pagamento em 15 países no primeiro ano.

10. Exemplo de Caso de Uso

Cenário: Um artista brasileiro vende um NFT para um colecionador nos EUA por US$100.

Colecionador paga via ACH (Stripe) → valor é convertido para USDC.

Artista recebe US$95 (após taxa de 5%) diretamente em sua conta Nubank via PIX (R$475 em tempo real).

Royalties de 10% são enviados automaticamente para um colaborador na Argentina via Mercado Pago (ARS).

Conclusão: Parcerias com fintechs permitirão à NeoSphere operar como um hub financeiro global para criadores, combinando a flexibilidade de pagamentos locais com a eficiência das criptomoedas. A prioridade deve ser garantir uma integração tão suave que os usuários nem percebam a complexidade por trás das transações.

[govindhtech]

Remote MCP server, Code Interpreter, Image Generation in API

OpenAI Responses API

Developers and organisations can now use the Responses API with Code Interpreter, image generation, and remote MCP server functionality.

Today, OpenAI's Responses API, which creates agentic apps, gets more features. Image creation, Code Interpreter, and better file search are included, along with support for all remote Model Context Protocol (Remote MCP) servers. These tools support OpenAI o-series reasoning models, GPT 4.1, and GPT 4o.

The Responses API lets o3 and o4-mini call tools and functions directly in their chain of thought, producing more relevant and contextual responses. By retaining reasoning tokens across requests and tool calls, o3 and o4-mini with the Responses API improve model intelligence and reduce developer costs and latency.

The Responses API, essential for agentic systems, has been improved. Over hundreds of thousands of developers have used the API to handle billions of tokens for agentic applications like education aids, market intelligence agents, and coding agents since March 2025.

New features and built-in tools improve agentic systems constructed with the Responses API's functionality and dependability.

Additional Responses API Resources

Many new tools are incorporated into the Responses API:

Remote MCP Server Support

Remote Model Context Protocol (remote MCP) servers can now connect to API tools. Open protocol MCP standardises how apps give Large Language Models (LLMs) context. MCP servers let developers to connect OpenAI models to Cloudflare, HubSpot, Intercom, PayPal, Plaid, Shopify, Stripe, Square, Twilio, and Zapier with little code. OpenAI joins the MCP steering committee to improve the ecosystem and standard.

Image making

Developers can use OpenAI's latest image generating model, gpt-image-1, in the Responses API. This program supports multi-turn edits for granular, step-by-step image editing through prompts and real-time streaming for image previews. Even if the Images API can produce images, the Responses API's image generating tool is innovative. The reasoning model series o3 model supports this tool.

Interpreter Code

Responses API now has this utility. The Code Interpreter can aid with data analysis, complex mathematics and coding challenges, and “thinking with images” by empowering models to understand and deal with images. Models like o3 and o4-mini fare better on Humanity's Last Exam when they use the Code Interpreter.

Enhancements to File Search

Since March 2025, the API has offered file search, but new functionalities have been introduced. Developers can use the file search tool to extract relevant document chunks into the model based on user queries. The changes enable vector storage searches and attribute filtering with arrays.

These tools work with the GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, and OpenAI o-series reasoning models (o1, o3, o3-mini, and o4-mini for availability under the pricing/availability section). Developers can use these built-in technologies to construct stronger agents with one API call. Industry-standard benchmarks show that models that call more tools while reasoning perform better. O3 and o4-mini's ability to invoke tools and functions straight from their reasoning yields more contextually relevant responses.

Saving reasoning tokens across tool calls and requests improves model intelligence and reduces latency and cost.

New Responses API Features

Along with the new tools, developers and enterprises may now use privacy, visibility, and dependability features:

Background Mode: This lets developers manage long tasks reliably and asynchronously. Background mode prevents timeouts and network issues while solving difficult problems with reasoning models, which can take minutes. Developers can stream events or poll background objects for completion to see the latest state. Agentic products like Operator, Codex, and deep research have similar functions.

Reasoning Summaries: The API may now summarise the model's internal logic in natural language. Similar to ChatGPT, this helps developers debug, audit, and improve end-user experiences. Reasoning summaries are free.

Customers who qualify for Zero Data Retention (ZDR) can reuse encrypted reasoning items between API queries. OpenAI does not store these reasoning pieces. Sharing reasoning items between function calls improves intelligence, reduces token usage, and increases cache hit rates for models like o3 and o4-mini, reducing latency and costs.

Price, availability

These new features and tools are available now. The OpenAI o-series reasoning models (o1, o3, o3-mini, and o4-mini) and GPT-4o and GPT-4.1 series support them. Only the reasoning series' o3 model supports image production.

Current tools cost the same. The new tools' pricing is specified:

Images cost $5.00/1M for text input tokens, $10.00/1M for image input tokens, and $40.00/1M for image output tokens with a 75% discount on cached input tokens.

Each Code Interpreter container costs $0.03.

File search costs $2.50/1k tool calls and $0.10/GB vector storage daily.

Developers pay for API output tokens, not the tool itself.

[thirdrocktechkno01]

Build a secure fintech app with FlutterFlow Plaid integration. Use Plaid API with FlutterFlow for effortless bank account linking and enhanced security.

[bloggerpaula]

Deck raises $12M to ‘Plaid-ify’ any website using AI

Deck, a startup that claims to be building “the Plaid for the rest of the internet,” has raised $12 million in a Series A funding round — about nine months after closing its seed financing, it tells TechCrunch exclusively.

The new raise, led by Infinity Ventures, brings Montreal-based Deck’s total raised since its January 2024 inception to $16.5 million. Golden Ventures and Better Tomorrow Ventures co-led its seed raise.

Deck claims that it is building the infrastructure for user-permissioned data access — across the entire internet. Its browser-based data agents “unlock” the data from any website through automation.

To put it more simply, Deck helps users connect any account online and aims to turn the information into structured, usable data, with full user permission.

President Frederick Lavoie, CEO Yves-Gabriel Leboeuf, and CTO Bruno Lambert (pictured above, left to right) co-founded Deck in June 2024.

The startup’s approach is to treat the web itself as an open platform. It operates under the premise that users have “tons of valuable data” locked behind usernames, passwords, and session-based portals with no real way to share it securely.

Deck hopes to change that.

“Just like Plaid gave developers an easy, secure way to access bank account data with user permission, Deck does the same for the 95% of platforms that don’t offer APIs such as utility portals, e-commerce backends, payroll systems and government services,” Leboeuf told TechCrunch. Its goal is to make it easier for developers to access the data users already have without all the manual work

When a user connects an account, Deck’s infrastructure handles everything behind the scenes. Its AI agents log in, navigate, and extract the data “just like a human would — but faster, more reliably, and at scale,” said Leboeuf.

It then generates scripts to keep those connections live and reusable without AI involvement going forward.

“Companies use Deck to eliminate the friction of getting their user data from places where APIs don’t exist — or are incomplete, expensive, or unreliable,” Leboeuf said. “We basically ‘Plaid-ify’ any websites. Whether you’re doing accounting, KYC, automating reporting, or verifying a business, Deck lets you build those features in minutes instead of months.”

Repeat founders Leboeuf and Lavoie previously started Flinks, a startup that was dubbed the “Plaid for Canada.” The National Bank of Canada acquired it in 2021 for about US$140 million. (Lambert was one of Flinks’ first engineers.)

After that sale, the founders started talking to entrepreneurs across industries.

“Again and again, we heard the same thing: Our data is broken,’” said Leboeuf.

One founder had millions in food sales intelligence trapped in dozens of “clunky” distributor portals. Another spent months trying to access music royalty data — to help users claim over a billion in unpaid royalties.

“We even experienced the problem firsthand,” Lavoie said. “The pattern was clear: data access was fragmented, fragile, and failing — and not just in banking. It was everywhere.”

So they built Deck, which today competes with Arcadia, a company that the founders had tried using but grew frustrated by.

The trio believes that recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have underscored the urgency of open access to non-financial data. Without it, AI risks being trained on outdated, biased, or incomplete information.

Initially, the company has been focused on working with utility companies, having connected to over 100,000 utility providers in more than 40 countries across North America, Europe, and Asia. Customers include EnergyCAP, Quadient, and Greenly. Deck is also working with non-utility customers such as Notes.fm, Glowtify, and Evive Smoothies. It believes that its technology can be applied to any industry where data is “trapped” in online accounts.

“Think of us as the bridge between the application layer and foundational tools like browser automation or AI operators such as Playwright, Browser Use, OpenAI Operator,” Leboeuf said. “We’ve taken the messy, foundational pieces — authentication, data normalization, rate limiting, consent management, and antibot protection — and turned them into a seamless, productized platform.”

Rapid growth Deck has seen the number of developers building on its platform “grow drastically” in the last couple of months, according to its founders. In February, for example, its connections grew by over 120% compared to the previous month. The startup’s pricing model is performance-driven, charging clients based on “successful” API calls.

“That means you only pay when the data works,” said Lavoie.

Like Plaid and Flinks, Deck relies only on explicit user consent to connect and collect data.

“While it may hypothetically be violating some terms and conditions, our technology follows the open data international trend that was initiated and greatly popularized by open banking, and has pushed regulators across the world to make it clear in several jurisdictions that consumers and businesses have the right to access and transfer their data,” said Leboeuf.

Deck also claims to have proprietary technologies to avoid being labeled as bots or crawlers. Those technologies include several different methods, such as vision computing and human-like mouse movement.

“While we see a lot of antibot technologies in sectors like telcos or HR, where there is a lot of fraud from identity theft, lots of other data verticals have limited to no antibot technologies,” said Lavoie.

For now, it’s not using the data collection to train models, instead focusing on building the best way to collect the data rather than building products on top of the collected data itself.

“We operate in a dual consent environment, where we would need end-user consent, and Deck’s client consent, to use the data,” Leboeuf said.

The company soon plans to launch a data vertical creator, which it claims will let any developer “get up and running for any data verticals for any industry… in no time.”

Presently, Deck has 30 employees.

Jeremy Jonker, co-founder and managing partner at Infinity Ventures, believes that Deck is “transforming” the user-permissioned data sector, “just as open banking reshaped financial data.”

“With a modular platform and reusable recipes, they deliver speed, reliability, and adaptability that extend well beyond utilities,” he told TechCrunch. Jonker has joined Deck’s board as part of the financing.

Intact Ventures, along with previous backers Better Tomorrow Ventures, Golden, and Luge Capital also participated in the Series A financing.

[datastringconsulting]

Personal Finance Management Market to $13.9 Billion by 2035

Read Full Article: https://datastringconsulting.com/top-market-reports by DataStringConsulting

Summary: The personal finance management (PFM) software market was USD 5.1 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 13.9 billion by 2035, growing at a 9.5 percent CAGR. Drivers include open banking APIs, AI‑driven financial advisors, and rising digital‑savvy consumer segments .

Introduction

PFM tools help individuals track spending, set budgets, and receive AI‑powered savings recommendations via mobile and web apps .

Market Overview

USD 5.1 billion in 2024 → USD 13.9 billion by 2035 (9.5 percent CAGR) .

Key Growth Drivers

Open Banking: PSD2 in Europe unlocked API access, tripling fintech PFM integrations since 2020 .

AI Advisors: Robo‑advisor adoption grew 60 percent in 2024, personalizing investment and saving plans .

Financial Literacy: 45 percent of millennials use PFM apps to improve money habits .

Segment Analysis

Apps dominate with 70 percent share; web‑based dashboards grow fastest at 12 percent CAGR .

Regional Insights

North America leads with 40 percent revenue share; Asia‑Pacific grows at 11 percent CAGR due to rising smartphone penetration .

Competitive Landscape

Mint (Intuit), YNAB, Plaid‑powered fintechs, and Banks’ own PFM offerings compete on UX and AI features .

Future Outlook

Embedded PFM in banking apps and voice‑assistant budgeting will mainstream by 2027, driving further growth .

[souhaillaghchimdev]

Financial and Banking Application Programming

Financial technology (FinTech) has revolutionized how we manage money, invest, and perform banking operations. For developers, programming financial and banking applications involves a unique set of skills, tools, and compliance considerations. This post explores the essential concepts and technologies behind building secure and robust financial applications.

Types of Financial Applications

Banking Apps: Enable account management, transfers, and payments.

Investment Platforms: Allow users to trade stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.

Budgeting & Expense Trackers: Help users monitor spending and savings.

Loan Management Systems: Handle loan applications, payments, and interest calculations.

Payment Gateways: Facilitate secure online transactions (e.g., Stripe, PayPal).

Key Features of Financial Software

Security: End-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), and fraud detection.

Real-time Data: Updates for balances, transactions, and market prices.

Compliance: Must adhere to financial regulations like PCI DSS, KYC, AML, and GDPR.

Transaction Logging: Transparent, auditable logs for user actions and payments.

Integration: APIs for banking systems, stock markets, and payment processors.

Popular Technologies Used

Frontend: React, Flutter, Angular for responsive and mobile-first interfaces.

Backend: Node.js, Django, .NET, Java (Spring Boot) for high-performance services.

Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis for transaction tracking and caching.

APIs: Plaid, Yodlee, Open Banking APIs for data aggregation and bank access.

Security Tools: JWT, OAuth 2.0, TLS encryption, secure token storage.

Basic Architecture of a Banking App

Frontend: User dashboard, transaction view, forms.

API Layer: Handles business logic and authentication.

Database: Stores user profiles, transaction history, account balances.

Integration Services: Connect to payment processors and banking APIs.

Security Layer: Encrypts communication, verifies users, logs events.

Regulatory Compliance

PCI DSS: Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.

KYC: Know Your Customer procedures for identity verification.

AML: Anti-Money Laundering laws and automated detection.

GDPR: Ensures data protection for EU citizens.

SOX: U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance for financial reporting.

Sample: Python Code to Fetch Transactions (Plaid API)

import plaid from plaid.api import plaid_api from plaid.model import TransactionsGetRequest client = plaid_api.PlaidApi(plaid.Configuration( host=plaid.Environment.Sandbox, api_key={'clientId': 'your_client_id', 'secret': 'your_secret'} )) request = TransactionsGetRequest( access_token='access-sandbox-123abc', start_date='2024-01-01', end_date='2024-04-01' ) response = client.transactions_get(request) print(response.to_dict())

Best Practices for FinTech Development

Always encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit.

Use tokenization for storing financial credentials.

Perform regular security audits and penetration testing.

Use test environments and sandboxes before live deployment.

Stay updated with financial laws and API updates.

Conclusion

Financial and banking software development is a specialized domain that requires technical precision, regulatory awareness, and security-first design. With proper tools and best practices, developers can build impactful financial applications that empower users and institutions alike.

[ros64]

Estratto dal libro 9

Quando accadrà dillo alle api

Capitolo 58

JAMIE DIDN’T BOTHER WALKING softly. Bears weren’t afraid of anything. And it would likely be chance alone that determined who saw whom first. The shadows that overlay the trail to the upper meadow they called Feur-milis were still black with the night’s cold. The yellowing trees that edged the path were slick and heavy with last night’s rain, and Jamie had pulled his plaid up over his head to keep the drips out. Old and worn as his plaid was, it was still warm and still shed water. I should have told Claire I want to be buried in it if a bear gets the better of me; it’ll be cozy against the grave-damp. But then he thought of Amy Higgins, and crossed himself. He came out of the shadows into the high meadow, misty in the early morning. Three does grazing on the far side looked up at him, startled by the intrusion, then disappeared with a crash of shrubbery. That answered one question, then: no bears were nearby. At this time of year, a bear likely wouldn’t bother with deer—the streams teemed with fish and the woods were still full of everything a bear thought tasty, from grubs and mushrooms to bee trees full of honey (and he did hope his present quarry might have found one of those recently; it gave a faint soft smell to the grease)—but deer had very set opinions of carnivores in general, and didn’t pause to reckon the odds when one showed up. He quartered the meadow, then walked slowly round the edge looking for bear sign, but found nothing more than a crumbled pile of old droppings under a pine and claw marks on a big alder—made recently, but the sap had dried hard. Jo had seen a bear in the meadow five days ago, he said; clearly it hadn’t been back since. Jamie stood still for a moment, lifting his face to the breeze that stirred the grass tops. A faint tang on the air: not bear. A buck deer close by, not yet in full rut, but interested in the does. More crashing made him turn, but the eager chorus of mehh-hhs told him who it was long before his sister came up over the lip of the trail with four young nanny goats on a long rope. She had a gun over her shoulder and was looking keenly round. “And what d’ye mean to do wi’ that, a phiuthair?” he asked conversationally. She hadn’t seen him in the shadows and swung round, startled, the fowling piece pointed straight at him. He took a hasty step to the side, just in case it should be loaded. “Dinna shoot, it’s me!” “Gomerel,” she said, lowering her gun. “What d’ye mean, what do I mean to do with it? How many things can ye do with a gun?” “Well, if ye’re after bear, I think your piece might give him a nosebleed, but not much more,” he said, nodding at the gun in her hand. His own rifle was still slung on his shoulder, loaded and primed. Not that it would likely stop a charging bear, but if the creature was only suspicious, a shot might make it keep its distance. “Bear? Oh, is that what ye’re up to. Claire wondered.” She loosed the eager goats, and they dived headfirst into the thick grass like ducks in a millpond. “Did she, then.” He kept his voice casual. “She didna say so,” his sister said frankly. “But she saw your gun was gone, while we were makin’ breakfast, and she stopped dead, only for an instant.” His heart squeezed a little. He hadn’t wanted to wake Claire when he left in the dark, but he should have told her last night that he meant to see if he could get upon the trail of the bear Jo Beardsley had seen. There’d been little time for hunting while they worked to get the roof raised before winter—they needed the meat and grease badly. Besides, they had only a few quilts and one woolen trade blanket he’d got from a Moravian trader. A good bear rug would be a comfort to Claire in the deep cold nights; she felt the cold more now than the last time they’d spent a winter on the Ridge. “She’s all right,” his sister added, and he felt her interested gaze on his own face. “She only wondered, ken.” He nodded, wordless. It might be a wee while yet before Claire could wake to find him gone out with a gun and think nothing of it.

He took a breath and saw it wisp out white, vanishing instantly, though the new sun was already warm on his shoulders. “Aye, and what are ye doing up here, yourself? It’s a far piece to walk for forage.” One of the goats had come up for air and was nosing the hanging end of his leather belt in an interested manner. He tucked it up out of reach and kneed the goat gently away. “I’m fattening them to stand the winter,” she said, nodding at the nosy nanny. “Maybe breed them, if they’re ready. They like the grass better than the forage in the woods, and it’s easier to keep an eye on them.” “Ye ken well enough Fanny would mind them for ye. Is wee Oggy drivin’ ye mad?” The baby had vigorous lungs. You could hear him at the Big House when the wind was right. “Or are ye drivin’ Rachel mad yourself?” “I like goats,” she said, ignoring his question and shoving aside a pair of questing lips nibbling after the fringe of her shawl. “Teich a’ ghobhair. Sheep are goodhearted things, when they’re not tryin’ to knock ye over, but they’re no bright. A goat has a mind of its own.” “Aye, and so do you. Ian always said ye liked the goats because they’re just as stubborn as you are.” She gave him a long, level look. “Pot,” she said succinctly. “Kettle,” he replied, flicking a plucked grass stem toward her nose. She grabbed it out of his hand and fed it to the goat. “Mmphm,” she said. “Well, if ye must know, I come up here to think, now and then. And pray.” “Oh, aye?” he said, but she pressed her lips together for a moment and then turned to look across the meadow, shading her eyes against the slant of the morning sun. Well enough, he thought. She’ll say whatever it is when she’s ready. “There’s a bear up here, is there?” she asked, turning back to him. “Shall I take the goats back down?” “Not likely. Jo Beardsley saw it a few days ago, here in the meadow, but there’s no fresh sign.” Jenny thought that over for a moment, then sat down on a lichened rock, spreading her skirts out neatly. The goats had gone back to their grazing, and she raised her face to the sun, closing her eyes. “Only a fool would hunt a bear alone,” she said, her eyes still closed. “Claire told me that last week.” “Did she?” he said dryly. “Did she tell ye the first time I killed a bear, I did it alone, with my dirk? And she hit me in the heid wi’ a fish whilst I was doin’ it?” She opened her eyes and gave him a look. “She didna say a fool canna be lucky,” she pointed out. “And if you didna have the luck o’ the devil himself, ye’d have been dead six times over by now.” “Six?” He frowned, disturbed, and her brow lifted in surprise. “I wasna really counting,” she said. “It was only a guess. What is it, a ghràidh?” That casual “Oh, love,” caught him unexpectedly in a tender place, and he coughed to hide it. “Nothing,” he said, shrugging. “Only, when I was young in Paris, a fortune-teller told me I’d die nine times before my death.

D’ye think I should count the fever after Laoghaire shot me?” She shook her head definitely. “Nay, ye wouldna have died even had Claire not come back wi’ her wee needle. Ye would have got up and gone after her within a day or two.” He smiled. “I might’ve.” His sister made a small noise in her throat that might have been laughter or derision. They were silent for a moment, both with heads lifted, listening to the wood. The dripping had ceased now, and you could hear a treepie close by, with a call exactly like a rusty hinge opening. Then there was a loud quah-quah as a bird called from somewhere behind him, and he saw Jenny look up over his shoulder wide-eyed. “Is that a magpie?” she said. In the Highlands, you always listened for magpies, because they were omen birds—and if you heard one, you hoped to hear another. One for sorrow … two for mirth … “No,” he said, reassuring. “I dinna think there are proper magpies in these mountains. That’s no but a kind of yaffle. Aye—see him there?” He nodded, and she looked over her shoulder to the grayish bird with a scarlet slash at its throat, clinging to a swaying pine branch, a beady eye fixed on the ground. Jenny relaxed and drew breath, and, taking up the conversation where she’d left it, asked, “D’ye hold it against me, that I made ye marry Laoghaire?” He gave her a look. “What makes ye think ye could make me do anything I didna want to, ye wee fussbudget?” “What the devil is a fussbudget?” she demanded, frowning up at him. “A bag of nuisance, so far as I can tell,” he admitted. “Jemmy calls Mandy that.” A sudden dimple appeared near Jenny’s mouth, but she didn’t actually laugh. “Aye,” she said. “Ye ken what I mean.” “I do,” he said. “And I don’t. Hold it against ye, I mean. She didna actually kill me, after all.” One of the goats squatted, a few feet away, and let fall a dainty shower of neat black pellets. They steamed briefly, and he caught the oddly pleasant warm scent for an instant before it vanished in the chill. “I wonder how it is goats are so neat about it,” Jenny said, watching, too. “Compared with coos, I mean.” “Och, ye’d want to be asking Claire about that,” he told her. “If it’s a matter of innards, she kens nearly as much as God about it.” Jenny laughed, and he realized belatedly that he’d seen no goat droppings at all in his survey of the meadow. She hadn’t been bringing her nannies up here regularly, then. And therefore … she’d come after him a-purpose. She had a thing to tell him, maybe, in private. He cleared his throat and touched his chest, where the wooden rosary hung beneath his shirt. “Pray, ye said. D’ye want to tell the beads together, then? Like we used to?” She looked surprised, and for a moment dubious. But then made up her mind and nodded, reaching into her pocket. “Aye, I would. And since ye mention … there was a thing I meant to ask ye, Jamie.” “Aye, what?” To his surprise, she drew out a string of gleaming pearls, the gold crucifix and medal bright in the rising sun. “Ye brought your good rosary?” he asked. “I didna ken that—thought ye’d have left it for one of your lasses.” “Good” was putting it lightly.

That rosary had been made in France and likely cost as much as a good saddle horse—if not more. It was their mother’s rosary—Brian had given it to Jenny when he’d given Ellen’s pearl necklace to Jamie. His sister grimaced and looked halfway apologetic. “If I gave it to any one o’ them, the others would take it amiss. I dinna want them to be fighting over such a thing.” “Aye, you’re right about that.” He squatted down by her, reached out a finger, and gently touched the softly bumpy little beads; it was made of Scotch pearls, like the necklace he’d given Claire. “Where did Mam get it, d’ye know? I never thought to ask, when I was wee.” “Well, ye wouldn’t, would ye? When ye’re wee, Mam and Da are just Mam and Da, and everything’s just what it’s always been.” She gathered the beads up into the palm of her hand, shoogling them into a little pile. “I do ken where this came from, though; Da told me when he gave it to me. D’ye think that doe’s comin’ in heat?” She squinted suddenly at one of the nanny goats, who had raised her head and let out a long, piercing bleat. Jamie gave the animal an eye. “Aye, maybe. She’s waggling her tail. But it’s maybe just she smells the buck deer in yonder grove.” He lifted his chin at the grove of sugar maples, gone half scarlet already, though none of the leaves had fallen. “It’s early for rut, but if I can smell him, so can she.” His sister lifted her face to the light breeze and breathed in deep. “Aye? I dinna smell anything, but I’ll take your word. Da always said ye had a nose like a truffle pig.” He snorted. “Aye, right. So what did Da say to you, then? About Mam’s rosary.” “Aye, well. He was jealous, he said. She wouldna ever say who’d sent her the necklace, ken.” “Oh, aye—do you know?” She shook her head, looking interested. “You do?” “I do. A man named Marcus MacRannoch—one of her suitors from Leoch, and a gallant man; he’d bought them for her, hoping to wed her, but she saw Da and was awa’ with him before MacRannoch could speak to her. He said—well, Claire said he said,” he corrected, “that he’d thought of them so often round her bonnie neck, he couldna think of them anywhere else, and so sent them to her for a wedding present.” Jenny rounded her lips in interest. “Oo, so that’s the way of it. Well, Da kent it was another man, and as I say, he said he was jealous—they hadna been marrit long, and he maybe wasna quite sure she thought she’d made a good bargain, takin’ up wi’ him. So he sold a good field—to Geordie MacCallum, aye?—and gave the money to Murtagh, to go and buy a wee bawbee for Mam. He meant to give it her when the babe was born—Willie, aye?” She lifted the crucifix and kissed it gently, in blessing of their brother. “God only kens where Murtagh got this—” She poured the rosary from one hand to the other, with a slithering sound. “But the words on the medal are French.” “Murtagh?” Jamie glanced at the beads and furrowed his brow a bit. “But Da must ha’ kent how he felt about her—about Mam.” Jenny nodded, rubbing a thumb over the crucifix and the beautifully sculpted, tortured body of Christ. The yaffle called, faint and distant, beyond the maple grove. “He could see I thought the same thing—why would he send Murtagh on such an errand? But he said he hadna meant to, only he’d told Murtagh what was in his mind, and Murtagh asked to go. Da said he didna want to let him, but he couldna very well go off himself and leave Mam about to burst with Willie and not even a solid roof over her head yet—he’d laid the cornerstones and started the chimneys, but nay more. And—” She lifted one shoulder. “He loved Murtagh, too—more than his ain brother.” “God, I miss the old bugger,” Jamie said impulsively. Jenny glanced at him and smiled ruefully. “So do I. I wonder sometimes if he’s with them now—Mam and Da.” That notion startled Jamie—he’d never thought of it—and he laughed, shaking his head. “Well, if he is, I suppose he’s happy.” “I hope that’s the way of it,” Jenny said, growing serious.

“I always wished he could ha’ been buried with them—wi’ the family—at Lallybroch.” Jamie nodded, his throat suddenly tight. Murtagh lay with the fallen of Culloden, burnt and buried in some anonymous pit on that silent moor, his bones mingled with the others. No cairn for those who loved him to come and leave a stone to say so. Jenny laid a hand on his arm, warm through the cloth of his sleeve. “Dinna mind it, a bràthair,” she said softly. “He had a good death, and you with him at the end.” “How would you know it was a good death?” Emotion made him speak more roughly than he meant, but she only blinked once, and then her face settled again. “Ye told me, eejit,” she said dryly. “Several times. D’ye not recall that?”

He stared at her for a moment, uncomprehending. “I told ye? How? I dinna ken what happened.” Now it was her turn to be surprised. “Ye’ve forgotten?” She frowned at him. “Aye, well … it’s true ye were off your heid wi’ fever for a good ten days when they brought ye home. Ian and I took it in turn to sit with ye—as much to stop the doctor takin’ your leg off as anything else. Ye can thank Ian ye’ve still got that one,” she added, nodding sharply at his left leg. “He sent the doctor away; said he kent well ye’d rather be dead.” Her eyes filled abruptly with tears, and she turned away. He caught her by the shoulder and felt her bones, fine and light as a kestrel’s under the cloth of her shawl. “Jenny,” he said softly. “Ian didna want to be dead. Believe me. I did, aye … but not him.” “No, he did at first,” she said, and swallowed. “But ye wouldna let him, he said—and he wouldna let you, either.” She wiped her face with the back of her hand, roughly. He took hold of it and kissed it, her fingers cold in his hand. “Ye dinna think ye had anything to do with it?” he asked, rising to his feet and smiling down at her. “For either of us?” “Hmph,” she said, but she looked modestly pleased. The goats had moved away a little, brown backs smooth amid the tussocked grass. One of them had a bell; he could hear the small clank! of it as she moved. The yaffles had moved off as well—he caught the flash of scarlet as one flew low across the field and disappeared into the black mouth of the trail. He let a moment go by, two, and then shifted his weight and made a small menacing noise in the back of his throat. “Aye, aye,” Jenny said, rolling her eyes at him. “Of course I’ll tell ye. I had to fettle my mind, first, ken?”

She rearranged her skirts and settled herself more firmly. “Aye, then—this is the way of it. As ye told it to me, at least. “Ye said”—her brows drew together with the effort of careful remembrance—“that ye’d fought your way across the field in a fury and when ye stopped because ye had to breathe, you—you were … dismayed … to find ye weren’t dead yet.” “Aye,” he said softly, and with a deep sense of fear, felt the day well up in him. Cold, it had been bitter cold in the wind and rain, but he’d been ablaze with the fighting; he hadn’t felt it ’til he stopped. “What then? That’s what I dinna ken …” She drew a deep, audible breath. “Ye were behind the government lines. There were cannon behind ye—pointing the other way, aye? Toward … our men.” “Aye. I could see—I could … see them. Lying dead and dying, in windrows.” “Windrows?” She sounded a little startled, and he looked down, still feeling the chill of Culloden in his hands and feet. “They fell by lines,” he said, his own voice sounding remote and reasonable, detached. “The English guns, the muskets—they’ve a range of … I dinna mind it now, but that’s where we fell, at the end of that range. There were men blown up and crushed by the cannon, but most of it was the muskets. Bayonets later—I heard that, didna see.” He swallowed, and keeping his voice steady asked, “What did I say happened then?” She exhaled through her nose, and he saw she had closed her hand on the rosary, clenching it as though to draw strength from the beads. “Ye said ye couldna think what to do, but there was a cannon nearby and the crew had their backs to ye.

So ye turned to go after the nearest man—but there was a knot of redcoats between you and the cannon, and when ye wiped the sweat out of your eyes, ye saw one of them was Jack Randall.” Her free hand made an unobtrusive sign of the horns, then folded into a fist. He remembered. Remembered and felt a lurch in his wame as the image he’d seen in dreams met and merged with memory. “He saw me,” he whispered. “He stood stock-still and so did I. The shock of it—I couldna make myself move.” “And Murtagh …” Jenny’s voice came soft. “I sent him back,” he whispered, seeing his godfather’s face, creased in stubborn refusal. “I made him go. Made him take Fergus and the others—I said he must see them safe to Lallybroch, because … because …” “Because ye couldn’t,” she said, low-voiced. “I couldn’t,” he said, and swallowed the growing lump in his throat. “But he was there, ye said,” Jenny prompted after a moment. “On the field. Murtagh.” “Aye. Aye, he was.” He’d seen the sudden movement, a jerk of the frozen scene before him, and lifted his eyes from Jack Randall’s face to look, and saw Murtagh running … And once more the dream came down on him and he was in it. Cold. So cold the voice froze in his throat, rain and sweat plastering wet cloth to his body and the icy wind cutting through his bones as easily as through his clothes.

He tried—he had tried—to call out, to stop Murtagh before he reached the English soldiers. But it would have taken more than muskets and British cannon to stop Murtagh FitzGibbons Fraser, let alone Jamie’s voice, and he didn’t stop, bounding over the tumps of the moor grass, water bursting like broken glass under his feet as he went. “Captain Randall spoke to ye, ye said …” “Kill me.” He heard his own voice whisper the words. “He asked me to kill him.” My heart’s desire. The words lay like drops of lead in his ear. The wind had been whistling past his head, whipping the hair out of its binding and across his face. But he’d heard that, he knew he had, he hadn’t dreamed it … But his eyes had been on Murtagh. There was movement, confusion, someone came toward him, he saw the dark blade of a bayonet, wet with rain or blood or mud, and he pushed it aside and suddenly it was a fight, with two of them pulling at him, bashing, trying to knock him down. A sudden sound surprised him and he opened his eyes, disoriented, and realized that he’d made the noise, it was the sound he’d made when something took his left leg out from under him, a grunt of impact, impatience, he had to get up … “And Captain Randall reached down to ye, then, where ye lay on the ground …” “And I had my dirk in my hand and I—” He broke off and looked down at his sister, urgent. “Did I kill him? Did I say I did?” She was watching him closely, a look of deep concern on her face. He made an impatient gesture, and she gave him a reproving look. No, she wouldn’t lie to him, he kent better than that … “Ye said ye did.

Ye said it over and over …” “I said I killed him, over and over?” Despite herself, she gave a small shudder. “No. That it was hot. The—his—blood. ‘Hot,’ ye kept saying, ‘God, it was so hot …’” “Hot.” For a moment, that made no sense, and then he caught a glimpse of it: the dim sense of darkness leaning over him, the brush of wet wool across his face, effort, so much effort to raise his arm one more time, trembling, he saw drops of clean rain run down the blade, over his shaking hand, and effort, pushing, pushing up and the thick resisting, rasping cloth, momentary hardness, push, God damn it, then a deep, startling heat that had spilled over his frozen hand, his wind-chilled arm. He’d been desperately grateful for the warmth, he remembered that—but he could not remember the blow itself. “Murtagh,” he said, and the sense of blood-heat left him as suddenly as it had come, the chilly wind in his ears. “Did I say what happened to Murtagh?” He gave a sigh of pain, exasperation, desolation. “Why would ye not go when I told ye, ye scabbit auld bugger?” “He did,” Jenny said, unexpectedly. “He took the men as far as the road and set them on their way. They said so, when they came back to Lallybroch. But then he went back—for you.” “For me.” He didn’t have to close his eyes now, he saw it; he’d felt it in his own back, seeing the jolt of Murtagh’s knife, up hard, aiming for the captain’s kidney. Randall had dropped like a rock—hadn’t he? But then how was he standing later … and then the others were all on them. He’d been knocked flat onto his face and someone had stepped on his back, kicked him in the head, a gun-butt had struck him in the ribs and knocked his breath out … There was shouting all around and the sense of ice was creeping up his body—of course, he’d been badly wounded but hadn’t known it, was slowly bleeding to death. But all he could think of was Murtagh, that he must reach Murtagh … He’d crawled.

He remembered seeing the water come up between his fingers as his hand pressed down and the tough black prickle of wet heather as he grasped it, pulling himself along … his kilt was soaked from falling, heavy and dragging between his legs, hindering … “I found him,” he said, and took a breath that shook in his lungs. “Something happened—the soldiers were gone, I dinna ken how long it took—from one breath to the next, is how it felt.” His godfather had been lying a few yards away from him, curled up like a babe asleep. But he hadn’t been asleep—nor dead. Not yet. Jamie’d gathered him up into his arms, seen the terrible dented wound that had caved in his temple, the blood pumping black from a gash in his neck. But seen too the beauty, the lightening of Murtagh’s face as he opened his eyes to see Jamie holding him. “He told me that it didna hurt to die,” Jamie said. His voice was hoarse and he cleared his throat. “He touched my face and said not to be afraid.” He’d remembered that—but now he remembered, too, the sense of sudden, overwhelming peace. The lightness. The exultation that had come back so strangely in his dream. Nothing mattered any longer.

It was over. He’d bent his head and kissed Murtagh’s mouth, laid his own forehead against the bloody, tangled hair, and given up his soul to God. “But—” He opened his eyes—didn’t recall closing them—and turned to Jenny, urgent. “But he came back! Randall. He wasna dead, he came back!” Black, a black thing, man-shaped, upright against a sky gone white and blind. Jamie’s hands curled into fists, so sudden the nails bit his palms. “He came back!” Jenny didn’t speak and didn’t move, but her eyes were fixed on him, urging him silently to remember. And he did. His limbs had gone weak and he’d lost the feeling in his leg altogether. Without meaning it, he’d fallen to the ground, losing his hold on Murtagh’s body. Was lying flat on his back, still able to feel the rain on his face but nothing else, his sight gone. He didn’t care about the black man, about anything. The peace of death was upon him. Pain and fear had gone and even hate had seeped away. He’d closed his eyes again now, seeing it, and imagined that he felt Murtagh’s hand, hard and callused, still holding his as they lay on the ground. “Did I kill him?” he whispered, more to himself than to Jenny. “I did … I ken I did … but how …” The blood. The hot blood. “The blood—it spilled down my arm, and then I … I wasna there anymore. But when I woke, my eyes were sealed shut wi’ dried blood and that’s what made me think I was dead—I couldna see anything but a sort of dark-red light.

But then later I couldna find a wound on my head. It was his blood blinding me. And he was lyin’ on me, on my leg—” He’d opened his eyes, still explaining it to himself, and found that he was sitting on the ground, the callused hand clinging tight to his was his sister’s, and tears were running silently down her face as she watched him. “Och,” he said, and rising to his knees gathered her off her rock and into his arms. “Dinna weep, a leannan. It’s over.” “That’s what you think, is it?” she said, voice muffled in his shirt. She was right, he knew that. But she held him tight. And slowly, slowly the morning came back. They sat for a little while, not speaking. The sun had come well above the treetops by now, and while the air was still fresh and sweet, there was no longer any chill in it. “Aye, well,” he said, at last, standing up. “Do ye still want to pray?” For she still held the pearl rosary, dangling from one hand. He didn’t wait for her reply but reached into his shirt and drew out the wooden rosary that he wore about his neck. “Oh, ye’ve got your old beads after all,” she said, surprised. “Ye didna have your rosary in Scotland, so I thought ye’d lost it. Meant to make ye a new one, but there wasna time, what with Ian …” She lifted one shoulder, the gesture encompassing the whole of the terrible months of Ian’s long dying. He touched the beads, self-conscious. “Aye, well … I had, in a way of speaking. I … gave it to William.

When he was a wee lad, and I had to leave him at Helwater. I gave him the beads for something to keep—to … remember me by.” “Mmphm.” She looked at him with sympathy. “Aye. And I expect he gave them back to ye in Philadelphia, did he?” “He did,” Jamie said, a bit terse, and a wry amusement touched Jenny’s face. “Tell ye one thing, a bràthair—he’s no going to forget you.” “Aye, maybe not,” he said, feeling an unexpected comfort in the thought. “Well, then …” He let the beads run through his fingers, taking hold of the crucifix. “I believe in God, the Father Almighty …” They said the Creed together, then the Our Father, and the three Hail Marys, and the Glory Be. “Joyful or Glorious?” he asked, fingers on the first bead of the decades. He didn’t want to do the Sorrowful Mysteries, the ones about suffering and crucifixion, and he didn’t think she did, either. A yaffle called from the maples, and he wondered briefly if it was one they’d already seen, or a third. Three for a wedding, four for a death … “Joyful,” she said at once. “The Annunciation.” Then she paused, and nodded at him to take the first turn. He didn’t have to think. “For Murtagh,” he said quietly, and his fingers tightened on the bead. “And Mam and Da. Hail Mary, full o’ grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.” “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen.” Jenny finished the prayer and they said the rest of the decade in their usual way, back and forth, the rhythm of their voices soft as the rustle of grass. They reached the second decade, the Visitation, and he nodded at Jenny—her turn. “For Ian Òg,” she said softly, eyes on her beads. “And Ian Mòr. Hail Mary …” The third decade was William’s. Jenny glanced at him when he said so, but only nodded and bent her head. He didn’t try to avoid thinking of William, but he didn’t deliberately call the lad to mind, either; there was nothing he could do to help, until or unless William asked for it, and it would do neither of them good to worry about what the lad was doing, or what might be happening to him. But … he’d said “William,” and for the space of an Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and a Glory Be, William must perforce be in his mind. Guide him, he thought, between the words of the prayer. Give him good judgment. Help him to be a good man. Show him his way … and Holy Mother … keep him safe, for your own Son’s sake …

“World without end, Amen,” he said, reaching the final bead. “For all those to hame in Scotland,” Jenny said without hesitation, then paused and looked up at him. “Laoghaire, too, d’ye think?” “Aye, her, too,” he said, smiling despite himself. “So long as ye put in that poor bastard she’s married to, as well.” For the last decade, they paused for a moment, eyeing each other. “Well, the last was for the folk in Scotland,” he said. “Let’s do this one for the folk elsewhere—Michael and wee Joan and Jared, in France?” Jenny’s face grew momentarily soft—she’d not seen Michael since Ian’s funeral, and the poor lad had been shattered, his young wife suddenly dead, a child gone with her—and then his father. Jenny’s mouth trembled for an instant, but her voice was clear and the sun lay soft on the white of her cap as she bent her head. “Our Father, who art in heaven …” There was silence when they finished—the sort of silence a wood gives you, made of wind and the sounds of drying grass and of trees shedding leaves in a yellow rain. The goat’s bell clanked on the far side of the meadow, and a bird he didn’t know chattered to itself in the maple grove.

The buck deer was gone; he’d heard it leave sometime while he was praying for William, and he’d wished his son good fortune in the hunt. Jenny drew breath as though to speak, and he lifted a hand; there was something in his mind and he’d best say it now. “What ye said about Lallybroch,” he began, a little awkwardly. “Dinna be worrit about it. If ye should die before me, I’ll see to it that ye get home safe, to lie wi’ Ian.” She nodded thoughtfully, but her lips were pursed a little, as she held them when thinking. “Aye, I ken ye would, Jamie. Ye dinna need to go to great lengths about it, though.” “I don’t?” She blew air out through her lips, then set them firmly. “Well, see, I dinna ken where I might be, come the time. If it’s here, then o’ course—” “Where the devil else might ye be?” he demanded, with the dawning realization that she couldn’t have come up here to tell him about Murtagh, because she hadn’t known he needed telling. So— “I’m going wi’ Ian and Rachel to find his Mohawk wife,” she said, as casually as she might have said she was off to pull turnips. Before he could find a single word, she held up the rosary in front of his face. “I’m leavin’ this with you, ken—it’s for Mandy, just in case I dinna come back. Ye ken well enough what sorts of things can happen when ye’re traveling,” she added, with a small moue of disapproval.

“Traveling,” he said. “Traveling? Ye mean to—to—” The thought of his sister, small, elderly, and stubborn as an alligator sunk in the mud, marching north through two armies, in dead of winter, beset by brigands, wild animals, and half a dozen other things he could think of if he’d time for it … “I do.” She gave him a look, indicating that she didn’t mean to bandy words for long. “Where Young Ian goes, Rachel says she’s goin’, too, and that means so does the wee yin. Ye dinna think I mean to leave my youngest grandchild to the mercies of bears and wild Indians, do ye? That’s a rhetorical question,” she added, with a pleased air of having put a stop to him. “That means I dinna expect ye to answer it.” “Ye wouldna ken a rhetorical question from a hole in the ground if I hadna told ye what one was!” “Well, then, ye should recognize one when it bites ye on the nose,” she said, sticking her own lang neb up in the air. “I’ll go and talk to Rachel,” he said, eyeing her. “Surely she’s better sense than to—” “Ye think I didn’t? Or Young Ian?” Jenny shook her head, half admiringly. “It would be easier to move yon wee mountain there”—she nodded at the bulk of Roan Mountain, looming dark green in the distance—“than to get that Quaker lass to change her mind, once it’s made up.” “But the bairn—!” “Aye, aye,” she said, a little irritably. “Ye think I didna mention that? And she did squinch her eyes a bit.

But then she said to me, reasonable as Sunday, would I let my husband go alone seven hundred miles to rescue his first wife, and her wi’ three pitiable bairns—one of whom might just possibly be Ian’s?—and that’s the first I heard of it, too,” she added, seeing his face. “I see her point.” “Jesus.” “Aye.” She stretched herself, groaning a little, and shook her skirts, which were thick with foxtails by now. Jamie could feel the prick of them through his stockings, dozens of tiny needles. The thought of Jenny’s going was a dirk right through his heart. It hurt to breathe. He knew she could tell; she didn’t look at him but coiled up the pearl rosary neatly and, taking his hand, dropped it into his palm. “Keep it for me,” she said, matter-of-factly, “and if I dinna come back, give it to Mandy, when she’s old enough.” “Jenny …” he said softly. “See, when ye come to reckon your life,” she said briskly, stooping to pick up the goat’s rope, “ye see that it’s the bairns are most important. They carry your blood and they carry whatever else ye gave them, on into the time ahead.” Her voice was perfectly steady, but she cleared her throat with a tiny hem before going on. “Mandy’s the farthest out, aye?” she said. “As far as I can reach. The youngest girl of Mam’s blood. Let her take it on, then.” He swallowed, hard. “I will,” he said, and closed his hand over the beads, warm from his sister’s touch, warm with her prayers. “I swear, sister.” “Well, I ken that, clot-heid,” she said, smiling up at him. “Come and help me catch these goats.”

JAMIE NON SI DISTURBÒ a camminare piano. Gli orsi non avevano paura di niente. E probabilmente sarebbe stato solo il caso a determinare chi avesse visto per primo chi. Le ombre che si proiettavano sul sentiero che saliva al prato superiore, che chiamavano Feurmilis, erano ancora nere per il freddo della notte. Gli alberi ormai quasi gialli ai lati erano scivolosi e pesanti per la pioggia della notte precedente e Jamie si era messo il plaid sopra la testa per ripararsi dalle gocce. Per quanto vecchio e liso, era ancora caldo e serviva allo scopo. “Avrei dovuto dire a Claire che voglio essere seppellito con questo, se un orso ha la meglio; sarà caldo e accogliente nella tomba umida.” Ma poi pensò a Amy Higgins e si fece il segno della croce. Uscì dalle ombre ed entrò nel prato, coperto dalla foschia delle prime ore del mattino.

Tre femmine di cervo che stavano mangiando erba all’estremità opposta sollevarono gli occhi, allarmate dall’intrusione, e poi sparirono dilaniando gli arbusti. Questo rispondeva a una domanda, dunque; non c’erano orsi nelle vicinanze. In quel periodo dell’anno non si sarebbero disturbati a inseguire cervi… i torrenti brulicavano di pesci e i boschi erano ancora pieni di tutto ciò che gli orsi trovavano gustoso, da larve e funghi ad alberi pieni di miele (e sperava che la sua preda attuale ne avesse trovato uno, di recente; dava un profumo delicato al grasso), ma i cervi avevano opinioni molto rigide sui carnivori in generale e non si fermavano a valutare le probabilità quando se ne trovavano uno davanti. Perlustrò il prato, poi camminò lentamente lungo il margine cercando segni dell’orso, ma non trovò nulla al di là di un mucchio sgretolato di vecchi escrementi sotto un pino e graffi di artigli su un grande ontano – lasciati di recente, ma la linfa si era già seccata. Jo aveva visto un orso lì cinque giorni prima, aveva detto; chiaramente non era più tornato, da allora.

Jamie rimase immobile per un momento, sollevando il viso alla brezza che muoveva le estremità dei fili d’erba. C’era un odore pungente, lieve. Non era un orso. Un cervo maschio, vicino, non ancora pienamente in calore ma interessato alle femmine. Un nuovo rumore di arbusti spezzati lo indusse a voltarsi, ma il coro zelante di belati gli fece capire chi era prima ancora che sua sorella fosse spuntata dal ciglio del sentiero con quattro caprette legate a una lunga corda. Aveva un fucile da uccellagione in spalla e si stava guardando intorno, lo sguardo aguzzo. «E con quello che cosa pensi di fare, a phiuthair?» chiese, in tono di conversazione. Lei non lo aveva visto, nell’ombra, e si girò di scatto, allarmata, puntandogli addosso la canna. Lui si spostò rapido da un lato, nel caso fosse carico. «Non sparare, sono io!» «Sciocco!» gli disse, abbassando l’arma. «In che senso che cosa penso di fare? Quante cose si possono fare con un fucile?» «Be’, se stai cacciando un orso, con quello potresti fargli sanguinare il naso, ma non molto di più» disse, indicando il fucile che aveva in mano. Il suo era ancora in spalla, carico. Non avrebbe fermato un orso che lo caricava ma, se la creatura era soltanto sospettosa, un colpo avrebbe potuto tenerlo a distanza. «Orso? Oh, dunque è quella la tua preda. Se lo domandava Claire.»

Sciolse le caprette ansiose che si tuffarono di testa nell’erba folta, come anatre in una gora. «Ma davvero.» Jamie mantenne un tono disinvolto. «Non lo ha detto esattamente» ammise Jenny, schietta. «Ma ha visto che mancava il tuo fucile, mentre preparavamo la colazione, ed è rimasta pietrificata, solo un istante.» Jamie avvertì una lieve stretta al cuore. Non aveva voluto svegliare Claire, quando era uscito prima ancora che facesse giorno, ma avrebbe dovuto dirglielo la sera prima. Che voleva provare a mettersi sulle tracce dell’orso che aveva visto Jo Beardsley. C’era stato poco tempo per la caccia, durante i lavori per terminare il tetto prima dell’inverno… e avevano un gran bisogno di carne e grasso. E poi avevano solo poche trapunte e una coperta di lana che si era procurato da un mercante moravo. Una bella pelle d’orso come tappeto sarebbe stata un conforto per Claire, nelle notti fredde; pativa di più il freddo, ora, rispetto al loro ultimo inverno al Ridge. «Sta bene» aggiunse sua sorella, e lui si sentì addosso il suo sguardo interessato. «Si è solo chiesta cosa intendessi fare.» Jamie annuì, senza parole.

Forse ci sarebbe voluto ancora un po’ di tempo prima che Claire, svegliandosi e scoprendo che lui era uscito con il fucile, iniziasse a smettere di preoccuparsi. Prese un respiro e lo vide uscire in un filo bianco, che svanì all’istante, anche se il sole appena spuntato era già caldo sulle sue spalle. «Aye, e tu che cosa ci fai quassù? È una bella camminata per del foraggio.» Una delle capre aveva tirato su la testa per prendere aria e stava annusando l’estremità della sua cintura di cuoio, che penzolava, con un certo interesse. Jamie la infilò nella vita, dove non poteva arrivare, e con il ginocchio la spinse via, delicatamente. «Voglio farle ingrassare perché resistano all’inverno» disse Jenny, indicando la capretta curiosa. «E magari farle figliare, se sono pronte. Preferiscono l’erba al foraggio nei boschi ed è più facile tenerle d’occhio.» «Sai bene che Fanny potrebbe curarle per te. Il piccolo Oggy ti sta facendo uscire di senno?»

Il bambino aveva due polmoni vigorosi. Lo si sentiva fino alla Casa Grande, quando il vento soffiava nella direzione giusta. «Oppure sei tu che stai facendo ammattire Rachel?» «Mi piacciono le capre» disse, ignorando la domanda e spingendo via un paio di labbra indagatrici che mordicchiavano le frange del suo scialle. «Teich a’ghobhair. Le pecore sono animali buoni, quando non cercano di farti finire a gambe all’aria, ma non sono intelligenti. Una capra ha un cervello proprio.» «Aye, come te. Ian diceva sempre che ti piacciono perché sono cocciute come te.» Gli rivolse un’occhiata lunga, tranquilla. «Pentolone» disse, in modo succinto. «Bollitore» rispose lui, facendo scattare uno stelo d’erba verso il naso di lei, che glielo tolse dalla mano e lo diede alla capra. «Mmpf» disse. «Be’, se proprio lo vuoi sapere, ogni tanto vengo quassù a pensare.

E a pregare.» «Oh, aye?» fece lui, ma Jenny premette le labbra per un momento e si voltò per guardare al di là del prato, schermandosi gli occhi dai raggi del sole, ora obliqui. “Molto bene” pensò. “Mi dirà quello che deve, di qualunque cosa si tratti, quando sarà pronta.” «C’è un orso quassù, vero?» chiese, voltandosi. «Devo riportare giù le capre?» «È improbabile. Jo Beardsley lo ha visto qualche giorno fa, qui nel prato, ma non ci sono tracce fresche.» Jenny ci pensò su un momento, poi si sedette su una roccia coperta di licheni, allargando bene le gonne. Le capre avevano ricominciato a brucare l’erba e lei sollevò il viso verso il sole, chiudendo gli occhi. «Soltanto uno sciocco caccerebbe un orso da solo» disse, gli occhi ancora chiusi. «Claire me lo ha detto, la scorsa settimana.» «Davvero?» disse secco. «Ti ha detto anche che la prima volta che uccisi un orso lo feci da solo, con il mio pugnale? E che lei intanto mi colpì alla testa con un pesce?» Jenny sollevò le palpebre e lo guardò. «Non ha detto che uno sciocco non può avere fortuna» sottolineò. «E, se non avessi avuto la fortuna del diavolo in persona, saresti già morto sei volte, adesso.» «Sei?» Jamie corrugò la fronte, turbato, e lei sollevò un sopracciglio con aria sorpresa.

«Non le stavo contando veramente. Ho tirato a indovinare, tutto qui. Che cosa c’è, a ghràidh?» Quel disinvolto “oh, amore” lo colpì inaspettatamente in un punto tenero e tossì per nasconderlo. «Niente» le rispose, alzando le spalle. «Solo che… quando ero a Parigi, da ragazzo, un’indovina mi disse che sarei morto nove volte, prima di morire davvero. Pensi che dovrei contare la febbre, dopo che Laoghaire mi sparò?» Jenny scosse il capo, decisa. «Nay, non saresti morto nemmeno se non fosse tornata Claire con il suo aghetto. Ti saresti alzato e saresti andato a cercarla entro un giorno o due.» Jamie sorrise. «Forse.» Sua sorella fece un piccolo verso con la gola, che poteva essere una risata o derisione. Rimasero in silenzio per un momento, entrambi con la testa sollevata, le orecchie tese ad ascoltare il bosco. Le gocce erano cessate, adesso, e si sentiva una dendrogazza vicina, il cui richiamo ricordava un cardine arrugginito che si apriva. Poi si udì un forte starnazzare, mentre un uccello gridava da qualche parte alle spalle di Jamie, che in quel momento vide Jenny alzare gli occhi e guardare da sopra la sua spalla, attonita. «Quella è una gazza?» chiese.

Nelle Highlands, la gente cercava sempre di sentirle, perché erano uccelli premonitori: e, se ne senti una, speri di sentirne un’altra. “Una per il dolore… due per la gioia…” «No» rispose, rassicurante. «Non penso ci siano su queste montagne. Ci sono solo picchi verdi. Aye… lo vedi, là?» Fece un cenno, e lei si voltò e vide l’uccello grigiastro con un taglio scarlatto alla gola, che stava aggrappato a un ramo di pino ondeggiante, un occhietto piccolo e brillante fisso sul terreno. Jenny si rilassò e prese fiato e, continuando la conversazione da dove l’avevano lasciata, chiese: «Sei in collera con me? Perché ti costrinsi a sposare Laoghaire?». Le diede un’occhiata. «Che cosa ti fa pensare che potresti farmi fare qualcosa che non mi andasse di fare, piccola precisina?» «Che cosa diavolo è una precisina?» chiese lei, guardandolo con la fronte corrugata. «Una bella seccatura, a quanto mi risulti» ammise. «Jemmy chiama così sua sorella.» Una fossetta comparve all’improvviso, vicino alla bocca di Jenny, ma non rise davvero. «Aye» disse. «Sai che cosa intendo.» «Sì» disse. «E no.

Non ce l’ho con te, intendo. Dopotutto, non mi ha ucciso davvero.» Una delle capre si accovacciò, a un paio di metri da lei, e lasciò cadere una pioggia delicata di palline quasi nere, che fumarono brevemente; Jamie ne colse il profumo caldo e stranamente piacevole, per un istante, prima che svanisse nel freddo. «Mi domando come facciano le capre a farlo restando così pulite» disse Jenny, guardando anche lei. «In confronto alle vacche, voglio dire.» «Och, dovresti chiederlo a Claire» le disse. «Se è una questione di intestini, ne sa quasi quanto Dio.» Jenny rise, e lui si rese conto tardivamente di non aver visto escrementi di capre, nella sua ricognizione del prato. Dunque non era vero che saliva lassù con le capre regolarmente. E perciò… lo aveva seguito di proposito. Aveva qualcosa da dirgli, forse, in privato. Jamie si schiarì la voce e si toccò il petto, dove aveva il rosario di legno, sotto la camicia. «A pregare… hai detto che ogni tanto vieni quassù per questo.

Vuoi che recitiamo il rosario insieme? Come un tempo?» Lei sembrò sorpresa e anche dubbiosa per un momento. Ma poi si decise e annuì, e mise una mano in tasca. «Aye, va bene. E, visto che ne hai parlato… c’è una cosa che volevo chiederti, Jamie.» «Aye, quale?» Sorpreso, la vide tirar fuori un filo di perle lucenti, con una medaglia e un crocifisso d’oro che brillarono alla luce del sole che stava spuntando. «Hai portato il rosario buono?» chiese. «Non lo sapevo… pensavo lo avessi lasciato a una delle tue ragazze.» “Buono” era un eufemismo. Quel rosario era stato realizzato in Francia e doveva essere costato quanto un buon cavallo da passeggiata, se non di più. Era appartenuto alla loro madre e Brian lo aveva dato a Jenny, quando a Jamie aveva dato la collana di perle di Ellen.

Sua sorella fece una smorfia e sembrò volersi scusare. «Se lo dessi a una di loro, le altre se ne avrebbero a male. Non voglio che litighino per una cosa come questa.» «Aye, hai ragione su questo.» Si accovacciò accanto a lei, allungò un dito e, con delicatezza, toccò le perline dalla superficie lievemente irregolare; erano perle scozzesi, come la collana che aveva dato a Claire. «Sai dove l’aveva presa Mamma? La collana? Non mi venne mai in mente di chiederglielo, quando ero piccolo.» «Be’, è normale, no? Quando eravamo piccoli, Ma’ e Pa’ erano solo Mamma e Papà, ed era tutto com’era sempre stato.» Raccolse il rosario nel palmo della mano e ne fece una montagnola. «So da dove veniva questo, però; me lo disse Pa’, quando me lo diede. Pensi che quella femmina sia in calore?» D’un tratto socchiuse gli occhi mentre guardava una capra, che aveva sollevato la testa e si era lasciata andare a un belato lungo, lacerante. Jamie guardò l’animale. «Aye, è possibile. Sta dimenando la coda.

Ma forse è solo perché ha fiutato il cervo maschio in quel boschetto laggiù.» Sollevò il mento verso gli aceri da zucchero, già tinti per metà di scarlatto, anche se non era ancora caduta nemmeno una foglia. «È un po’ presto, ma lo sento anch’io, quindi succede anche a lei.» Sua sorella sollevò il viso verso la brezza leggera e inspirò profondamente. «Aye? Io non sento niente, ma ti credo sulla parola. Papà diceva sempre che avevi il naso di un maiale da tartufo.» Jamie sbuffò. «Aye, certo. Quindi, che cosa ti disse del rosario di Ma’?» «Aye, be’… era geloso. Lei non diceva mai chi le aveva dato quella collana.» «Oh, aye… e tu lo sai?» Jenny scosse il capo, interessata. «Tu?» «Sì. Un uomo di nome Marcus MacRannoch… uno dei suoi corteggiatori di Leoch, e un gentiluomo; lo aveva comprato per lei, sperando di sposarla, ma lei aveva visto Pa’ ed era andata via con lui prima che MacRannoch avesse avuto il tempo di proporsi. Aveva detto… be’, secondo Claire aveva detto» si corresse «che aveva pensato di vederlo al suo bel collo tante di quelle volte da non riuscire a immaginarlo su nessun’altra, e pertanto glielo aveva mandato come dono di nozze.» Jenny contrasse le labbra, presa dal racconto. «Oh, dunque è così. Be’, Pa’ sapeva che si trattava di un altro uomo e, ripeto, mi disse di essere geloso: non erano sposati da molto e forse non era così sicuro che lei pensasse di aver fatto un buon affare, prendendo lui.

Così aveva venduto un bel campo – a Geordie MacCallum, aye? – e aveva dato i soldi a Murtagh, perché andasse a comprare una moneta per Mamma. Aveva intenzione di dargliela alla nascita del bambino… Willie, aye?» Jenny sollevò il crocifisso e lo baciò con delicatezza, per benedire il fratello. «Dio solo sa dove l’avesse presa Murtagh…» Versò il rosario da una mano all’altra, con un rumore di qualcosa che scivolava. «Ma le parole incise sono francesi.» «Murtagh?» Jamie guardò il rosario e corrugò lievemente la fronte. «Ma Pa’ doveva sapere quello che provava per lei… per Ma’.» Jenny annuì, passando un pollice sul crocifisso e sul corpo torturato e splendidamente scolpito di Cristo. Il picchio verde chiamò, il suo verso debole e distante, al di là del boschetto di aceri. «Capì che pensavo la stessa cosa… perché incaricare Murtagh di una cosa del genere? Ma lui diceva che non era stata sua intenzione, che aveva soltanto parlato della sua idea a Murtagh e che questi gli aveva proposto di andare.

Papà non voleva, ma non poteva andare lui di persona, lasciando Mamma che stava per scoppiare con Willie in grembo e senza ancora un tetto solido sopra la testa – aveva posato le pietre angolari e iniziato i camini, ma nulla di più. E inoltre…» Jenny sollevò una spalla. «Anche lui amava Murtagh. Era più che un fratello.» «Dio, mi manca quella vecchia carogna» disse Jamie, d’impulso. Lei lo guardò e sorrise, mesta. «Manca anche a me. A volte mi chiedo se sia con loro, adesso. Con Mamma e Papà.» L’idea prese Jamie alla sprovvista. Non ci aveva mai pensato e rise, mentre scuoteva la testa. «Be’, se è così, suppongo sia felice.» «Spero sia così» disse Jenny, ora seria. «Ho sempre desiderato essere seppellita con loro… con il resto della famiglia… a Lallybroch.» Jamie annuì, la gola d’un tratto serrata. Murtagh riposava con le vittime di Culloden, bruciato e seppellito in una fossa anonima in quella brughiera silenziosa, le sue ossa mescolate con le altre.

Nessun tumulo su cui chi lo amava sarebbe potuto andare a lasciare un sasso, per dirglielo. Jenny gli posò una mano sul braccio, caldo attraverso la stoffa della manica. «Non intendevo, a bràthair» disse sottovoce. «Ha avuto una buona morte e ha avuto te vicino, alla fine.» «Come sai che è stata una buona morte?» L’emozione lo rese più brusco di quanto non fosse nelle sue intenzioni, ma lei ammiccò una sola volta e poi il suo viso si ricompose. «Me lo hai detto tu, idiota» gli rispose, secca. «Più di una volta, non te lo ricordi?» «Io? E come? Non so cosa sia successo.» Adesso fu Jenny a rimanere sorpresa. «Te lo sei dimenticato?» gli chiese, perplessa. «Aye, be’… è vero che la febbre non ti diede tregua per dieci giorni, quando ti portarono a casa. Ian e io restavamo a turno con te, anche per impedire ai dottori di amputarti la gamba o qualunque altra cosa.

Puoi ringraziare Ian, se ce l’hai ancora» aggiunse, indicando con un gesto secco la sua gamba sinistra. «Mandò via il medico; perché sapeva molto bene che avresti preferito la morte.» Gli occhi le si colmarono di lacrime, di colpo, e si voltò. Jamie la prese per la spalla e sentì le ossa, sottili e leggere come un gheppio, sotto lo scialle. «Jenny» le disse, «Ian non voleva morire. Credimi. Io sì, aye… ma lui no.» «No, all’inizio lo voleva» fece lei, prima di deglutire. «Ma tu non glielo avresti permesso, diceva… e lui non l’avrebbe permesso a te.» Si asciugò il viso con il dorso della mano, in qualche modo. Lui gliela prese e la baciò, e sentì le sue dita fredde. «Non pensi di aver avuto qualcosa a che fare con questo?» chiese lui, alzandosi e sorridendole. «In entrambi i casi?» «Mmpf» rispose lei, ma sembrò modestamente compiaciuta. Le capre si erano spostate un poco, il dorso marrone liscio in mezzo ai ciuffi d’erba. Una di loro aveva una campanella; Jamie sentiva un piccolo “don!” ogni volta che si muoveva.

Se n’erano andati anche i picchi verdi – scorse un lampo scarlatto quando ne vide uno volare basso attraverso il campo e sparire all’imbocco nero del sentiero. Lasciò passare un momento, forse due, e poi spostò il peso ed emise un piccolo verso minaccioso con la parte posteriore della gola. «Aye, aye» disse Jenny, facendo roteare gli occhi mentre lo guardava. «Certo, te lo dico. Dovevo prima rimettere ordine nella mia mente, capisci?» Si risistemò le gonne e si decise. «Aye, allora… è andata così. Come lo hai raccontato tu a me, almeno.» «Hai detto…» Le sopracciglia si unirono per lo sforzo di ricordare attentamente. «… che attraversasti il campo battendoti, in preda all’ira e che, quando ti fermasti a prendere fiato, ti prese… lo sgomento… perché ti rendesti conto di non essere ancora morto.» «Aye» fece lui sommessamente e, con un senso profondo di paura, si sentì invadere dal ricordo di quel giorno.

Freddo, faceva molto freddo per il vento e la pioggia, ma era accaldato per il combattimento; non lo aveva avvertito finché non si era fermato. «E allora? È questo che non so…» Jamie la sentì prendere un gran respiro. «Eri dietro le linee del governo. C’erano cannoni alle tue spalle… che puntavano dall’altra parte, aye? Verso… i nostri uomini.» «Aye. Riuscivo… li vedevo. Morti e in fin di vita. Andane di uomini.» «Andane?» Sembrò sorpresa e Jamie abbassò lo sguardo, mentre sentiva ancora il gelo di Culloden nelle mani e nei piedi. «Cadevano in file» disse, la voce che suonava lontana, ragionevole, distaccata. «I fucili inglesi, i moschetti… hanno una portata di… non ha importanza adesso, ma noi cademmo lì, alla fine di quella portata. Ci furono uomini che vennero fatti saltare in aria, che vennero dilaniati dai cannoni, ma furono perlopiù i moschetti. E dopo le baionette… le sentivo, non le vedevo.» Deglutì e, tenendo la voce ferma, le chiese: «Che cosa ti ho detto? Riguardo a quello che accadde?».

Jenny espirò dal naso e lui notò che aveva chiuso la mano intorno al rosario, stringendolo come se volesse attingere forza dai grani. «Che non riuscivi a pensare a cosa fare, ma che c’era un cannone poco distante e che la truppa ti dava le spalle. Così ti voltasti per inseguire l’uomo più vicino… ma c’era un capannello di giubbe rosse fra te e l’arma e, quando ti togliesti il sudore dagli occhi, riconoscesti uno di loro… Jack Randall.» La mano libera fece le corna, in modo abbastanza discreto, e poi si chiuse a pugno. Ricordò. Ricordò e provò una sensazione di sbandamento, nel ventre, mentre l’immagine che aveva visto nei suoi sogni incontrava il ricordo e si fondeva con esso. «Lui mi vide» disse in un sussurro. «Era immobile e così io. Lo sgomento… non riuscivo a muovermi.» «E Murtagh…» fece Jenny, con un filo di voce. «Gli dissi di tornare indietro» mormorò, mentre rivedeva il viso del suo padrino, la fronte corrugata in un’espressione di ostinato rifiuto. «Lo mandai via, gli ordinai di prendere Fergus e gli altri… e di portarli al sicuro, a Lallybroch, perché… perché…» «Perché tu non potevi» fece lei, sommessamente. «Non potevo» ripeté Jamie e poi mandò giù il groppo crescente che aveva in gola. «Però era lì, hai detto» lo incitò Jenny dopo un momento. «Sul campo. Murtagh c’era.» «Aye. Aye, c’era.»

Aveva colto il movimento improvviso, uno scatto della scena congelata davanti ai suoi occhi, e aveva sollevato lo sguardo dal volto di Jack Randall per guardare… e aveva visto Murtagh che correva… E ancora una volta il sogno gli piombò addosso e lui vi era dentro. Faceva freddo. Talmente freddo che la voce gli si ghiacciava nella gola, la pioggia e il sudore incollavano al suo corpo il tessuto fradicio, e il vento gelido lo sferzava penetrando sin nelle ossa, con la facilità con cui attraversava i vestiti. Aveva provato, sì, aveva provato a urlare, a fermare Murtagh prima che arrivasse dai soldati inglesi. Ma ci sarebbe voluto qualcosa di più dei moschetti e del cannone inglesi per fermare Murtagh FitzGibbons Fraser, e di certo non sarebbe bastata la voce di Jamie. Difatti non si era fermato, aveva continuato a correre saltando i ciuffi d’erba, l’acqua che rimbalzava come vetro in frantumi sotto i suoi piedi. «Il Capitano Randall ti parlò, hai detto…» “Uccidimi.” Jamie sentì la sua voce mormorare quella parola. «Mi chiese di ucciderlo.» “Il mio cuore desiderava solo quello.”

Le parole erano gocce di piombo nel suo orecchio. Il vento passava accanto alla sua testa, sibilando, sferzando i capelli e strappandoli dal laccio, facendoglieli finire sul viso. Ma lo aveva sentito e, lo sapeva, non aveva sognato… Il suo sguardo però era fisso su Murtagh. Movimento, confusione, qualcuno venne verso di lui, vide la lama scura di una baionetta, bagnata di pioggia o di sangue o di fango, e la spinse da un lato. E d’un tratto stava combattendo, due di loro lo strattonavano, lo colpivano, cercavano di abbatterlo. Un rumore improvviso lo aveva sorpreso e aveva aperto gli occhi, disorientato; e si era reso conto di essere stato lui, quello era il rumore che aveva prodotto quando qualcuno gli aveva fatto lo sgambetto, un grugnito nel momento dell’impatto, di impazienza, perché doveva rimettersi in piedi… «E il Capitano Randall ti fu addosso, mentre eri a terra…» «E io avevo il pugnale in mano e…» Si interruppe e abbassò gli occhi sulla sorella, urgenti. «Lo uccisi io? Ti ho detto così?» Jenny lo stava guardando con attenzione, con un’espressione di profonda preoccupazione. Fece un gesto impaziente e lo guardò con aria di rimprovero.

No, non aveva intenzione di mentirgli, e Jamie lo sapeva… «Hai detto di sì, e hai continuato a ripeterlo…» «Ho detto di averlo ucciso e ho continuato a ripeterlo?» Suo malgrado, Jenny alzò appena le spalle. «No. Hai detto altro. Che era caldo. Il… il suo… sangue. “Caldo” dicevi. “Dio, era così caldo…”.» «Caldo.» Per un attimo Jamie non riuscì a darvi un senso. E poi colse un lampo… la vaga sensazione di oscurità che si chinava su di lui, la lana bagnata che gli sfiorava il viso, lo sforzo, l’enorme sforzo per sollevare il braccio un’ultima volta, tremante, vedeva gocce di pioggia pulita scorrere lungo la lama, sulla mano che non stava ferma, e poi ancora lo sforzo di spingere, spingere, e il tessuto spesso che grattava, opponeva resistenza, la durezza momentanea, “Spingi, maledizione”; e poi un calore intenso, sconvolgente che si riversava sulla mano congelata e sul braccio ghiacciato dal vento. Era stato disperatamente grato di quel calore, ricordava… ma non ricordava il colpo. «Murtagh» disse, e la sensazione del sangue caldo lo lasciò all’improvviso, così com’era arrivata, mentre nelle orecchie sentiva ancora il vento gelido.

«Ho detto che cosa accadde a Murtagh?» Emise un sospiro di dolore, esasperazione, desolazione. «Perché non te ne sei andato quando te l’ho detto io, vecchia carogna?» «Lo fece» rispose Jenny, inaspettatamente. «Portò i suoi uomini fino alla strada e li mandò via. Così dissero, quando fecero ritorno a Lallybroch. Ma poi tornò indietro… per te.» «Per me.» Non ebbe bisogno di chiudere gli occhi, lo vedeva; lo aveva sentito nella schiena, aveva visto lo scatto del coltello di Murtagh, verso l’alto, deciso, dritto verso un rene del capitano. Randall era caduto come un sasso… oppure no? Ma dopo com’era rimasto in piedi…? Un attimo dopo li avevano avuti tutti addosso. Era stato sbattuto a terra, di faccia, e qualcuno gli aveva camminato sulla schiena, gli aveva preso a calci la testa, mentre un calcio di fucile lo aveva colpito nelle costole togliendogli il respiro… Grida tutt’intorno, la sensazione del ghiaccio che strisciava sulla sua pelle…

Naturalmente lui aveva subito una ferita grave, ma non lo sapeva, si stava lentamente dissanguando. Ma riusciva a pensare soltanto a Murtagh, doveva raggiungerlo… Si era messo a strisciare. Ricordava di aver visto l’acqua salire tra le dita, mentre la mano premeva, e ricordava gli spuntoni neri e resistenti dell’erica bagnata mentre l’afferrava per trascinarsi avanti… il kilt fradicio, dopo la caduta, pesante, tra le gambe, che lo impacciava. «Lo trovai» disse, e poi prese un respiro che tremò dentro ai suoi polmoni. «Accadde qualcosa… i soldati se n’erano andati, non so quanto tempo ci volle… per me fu come l’intervallo tra due respiri.» Il suo padrino giaceva a pochi metri da lui, raggomitolato come un neonato che dorme. Ma non dormiva… e non era neanche morto. Non ancora. Jamie lo aveva preso tra le braccia, aveva visto la terribile ferita che gli aveva sfondato la tempia, il sangue che pompava nero da un taglio nel collo.

Ma aveva visto anche la bellezza, il modo in cui il viso di Murtagh si era illuminato quando aveva aperto gli occhi e aveva visto Jamie, che lo teneva così. «Mi disse che non faceva male. Morire» raccontò Jamie. La voce era rauca e si schiarì la voce. «Mi toccò il viso e mi disse che non dovevo avere paura.» Se l’era ricordato… ma adesso ricordò anche il senso improvviso e travolgente di pace. Di leggerezza. Quella gioia tanto strana che era tornata nel suo sogno. Nulla aveva più importanza. Era finita. Aveva chinato il capo e aveva baciato Murtagh sulle labbra, aveva appoggiato la fronte ai capelli ingarbugliati e sporchi di sangue e affidato la sua anima a Dio. «Ma…» Aprì gli occhi – non ricordava di averli chiusi – e si voltò verso Jenny, con urgenza. «Ma lui tornò. Randall. Non era morto, tornò!» Nera, una cosa nera che aveva la forma di un uomo, eretta sullo sfondo del cielo che si era fatto bianco e cieco. Le mani di Jamie si strinsero a pugno, così repentinamente che si conficcò le unghie nei palmi. «Tornò!» Jenny non parlò e non si mosse, ma i suoi occhi erano fissi su di lui, e lo incalzavano silenziosamente a ricordare.

E ricordò. Le sue membra erano diventate deboli e aveva perso completamente la sensibilità della gamba. Senza volerlo, era caduto e aveva lasciato andare il corpo di Murtagh. Era disteso, supino, riusciva ancora a sentire la pioggia sul viso ma, a parte quella, nient’altro, non vedeva più. Dell’uomo nero non gli importava, non gli importava di nulla. La pace della morte era discesa su di lui. Dolore e paura se n’erano andati, e persino l’odio si era esaurito, goccia a goccia. Aveva chiuso di nuovo gli occhi, rivedendo quella scena, e immaginò di sentire la mano di Murtagh, dura e callosa, che continuava a tenere la sua mentre giacevano sul campo. «Lo uccisi io?» sussurrò, più a se stesso che a Jenny. «Io… sì, so che fui io… ma riguardo al come…» “Il sangue. Il sangue caldo.” «Il sangue… mi colava lungo il braccio e poi io… non ero più lì.

Quando mi svegliai, però gli occhi erano sigillati dal sangue secco e fu questo a farmi credere di essere morto… non vedevo niente, solo una specie di luce rossa, scura. Non trovavo la ferita alla testa, però. Era il suo sangue, che mi accecava. E lui era disteso sopra di me, sulla mia gamba…» Aveva aperto gli occhi, mentre ancora cercava di spiegarsi l’accaduto, e si rese conto di essere seduto per terra, e che la mano callosa che stava stringendo era quella di sua sorella, che lo guardava con il viso rigato di lacrime. «Och» disse, sollevandosi sulle ginocchia e tirandola su dalla roccia per stringerla tra le braccia. «Non piangere, a leannan. È finita.» «Questo è quello che pensi tu, vero?» gli disse, la voce soffocata dalla sua camicia. Aveva ragione, lo sapeva. Ma lo teneva stretto. E, lentamente, lentamente, quel mattino tornò. Rimasero seduti per un po’, senza parlare. Il sole era ben alto sopra le cime degli alberi adesso e, se l’aria era ancora fresca e dolce, non c’era più la nota gelida di poco prima. «Aye, bene» disse lui alla fine, alzandosi. «Vuoi ancora pregare?»

Aveva ancora il rosario con i grani di perla, che penzolava da una mano. Jamie non aspettò la sua risposta e infilò una mano nella camicia, prendendo quello di legno che portava al collo. «Oh, hai il tuo vecchio rosario, quindi» osservò Jenny, sorpresa. «In Scozia non lo portavi, pertanto pensavo lo avessi perduto. Volevo fartene uno nuovo, ma non c’è stato tempo con Ian…» Sollevò una spalla, un gesto che comprendeva tutti i mesi terribili della lunga morte di Ian. Toccò i grani, imbarazzato. «Aye, ecco… in un certo senso era andata così. Lo avevo… dato a William. Quando era ancora un bambino e dovetti lasciarlo a Helwater. Glielo diedi perché avesse qualcosa che lo aiutasse a… a ricordarsi di me.» «Mmpf.» Lo guardò con occhi pieni di comprensione. «Aye. E suppongo te lo abbia restituito a Philadelphia, dico bene?» «Sì» disse Jamie, piuttosto conciso, e un’espressione di ironico divertimento toccò il viso di Jenny. «Ti dico una cosa, a bràthair… non ti dimenticherà.» «Aye, forse no» disse, e quel pensiero gli procurò un conforto inatteso. «Allora…» Lasciò scorrere i grani tra le dita e afferrò il crocifisso. «Credo in Dio, Padre Onnipotente…»

Recitarono il Credo insieme e poi il Padre nostro e tre Ave Maria e il Gloria. «Gaudiosi o Gloriosi?» chiese Jamie, le dita sul primo grano delle decine. Voleva evitare i Misteri Dolorosi, quelli dedicati alla passione e alla crocifissione, e credeva fosse lo stesso per Jenny. Un picchio verde chiamò dagli aceri e per un attimo si domandò se fosse uno di quelli che avevano già visto, o un terzo. “Tre per un matrimonio, quattro per una morte…” «Gaudiosi» rispose subito lei. «L’Annunciazione.» Poi fece una pausa e gli rivolse un cenno, perché cominciasse lui. E Jamie non ebbe bisogno di pensare. «Per Murtagh» disse sottovoce, e le dita strinsero il grano. «E per Mamma e Papà. Ave, o Maria, piena di grazia, il Signore è con te. Tu sei benedetta fra le donne e benedetto è il frutto del tuo seno, Gesù.» «Santa Maria, Madre di Dio, prega per noi peccatori, adesso e nell’ora della nostra morte. Amen.»

Jenny concluse e recitarono insieme il resto della decina, come loro solito, a botta e risposta, il ritmo delle loro voci dolce come il fruscio dell’erba. Arrivarono alla seconda decina, la Visitazione, e Jamie fece un cenno alla sorella… toccava a lei. «A Ian Òg» disse con voce dolce, gli occhi fissi sui grani. «E Ian Mòr. Ave, o Maria…» La terza decina era per William. Jenny lo guardò, quando lo disse, ma si limitò ad annuire e a chinare la testa. Jamie non si sforzava di non pensare a William, ma nemmeno pensava deliberatamente a lui; non c’era niente che potesse fare per aiutarlo, finché o a meno che non fosse stato il ragazzo a chiederlo, e a nessuno dei due avrebbe giovato preoccuparsi di cosa stesse facendo, o di cosa potesse accadergli. Ma… aveva detto “William” e, per lo spazio di un Padre Nostro, di dieci Ave Marie e di un Gloria, la sua mente fu per forza occupata da lui. “Guidalo” pensò, tra le parole delle preghiere. “Donagli la capacità di giudizio. Aiutalo a essere un brav’uomo. Mostragli la via… Santa Madre… custodiscilo, per il bene di Tuo figlio…” «Nei secoli dei secoli, Amen» disse, giunto all’ultimo grano.

«Per tutte le persone a casa, in Scozia» disse Jenny, senza alcuna esitazione, e poi fece una pausa e guardò lui. «Laoghaire. Anche per lei, che ne dici?» «Aye» fece lui, suo malgrado. «A patto che tu includa anche il povero bastardo con cui è sposata.» Per l’ultima decina, si fermarono un momento e si guardarono. «Be’, quella prima era per gli Scozzesi» disse lui. «Questa dedichiamola a chi è altrove… a Michael, alla piccola Joan e a Jared, in Francia.» Il viso di Jenny si ammorbidì, per un attimo… non vedeva Michael dal funerale di Ian e il povero ragazzo era apparso distrutto, avendo perso improvvisamente la giovane moglie, con un bambino… e infine suo padre. La bocca di Jenny tremò per un istante, ma aveva la voce chiara e il sole si posava morbido sulla stoffa bianca della sua cuffia, quando chinò il capo. «Padre Nostro, che sei nei cieli…» C’era silenzio, quando finirono… il genere di silenzio che si può trovare in un bosco, fatto di vento, dei suoni dell’erba che secca, degli alberi che perdono le foglie in una pioggia gialla.

La campanella della capra tintinnò dal lato opposto del prato e un uccello che Jamie non conosceva chiacchierava tra sé e sé nel boschetto di aceri. Il cervo maschio se n’era andato; lo aveva sentito allontanarsi poco prima, mentre pregava per William, e aveva augurato al figlio di avere fortuna nella caccia. Jenny prese fiato come per parlare e sollevò una mano; lui aveva qualcosa in mente e avrebbe fatto meglio a tirarla fuori ora. «Quello che hai detto riguardo a Lallybroch» cominciò, con un certo imbarazzo. «Non ti devi preoccupare. Se dovessi morire prima di me, mi assicurerò che tu possa tornare a casa, per giacere con Ian.» Lei annuì, pensierosa, ma aveva le labbra lievemente contratte, come faceva quando rifletteva. «Aye, lo so che lo faresti, Jamie. Ma non è necessario che ti dia troppo da fare, al riguardo.» «No?» Jenny espirò dalle labbra, che poi fermò con decisione. «Be’, vedi… non so dove sarò quando accadrà. Se sarò qui, allora chiaramente…» «Dove diavolo potresti essere, altrimenti?» chiese, mentre capiva che forse non era andata fin lassù per parlargli di Murtagh, perché non poteva sapere che lui aveva bisogno di farlo. “Quindi…” «Vado a cercare la moglie mohawk di Ian, con lui e con Rachel» disse, con la disinvoltura con cui avrebbe potuto comunicargli che sarebbe andata a raccogliere rape. Prima che Jamie fosse riuscito a trovare anche una sola parola, lei gli mise il rosario davanti al viso. «Ti lascio questo… per Mandy, nel caso non facessi ritorno. Sai molto bene che cosa può succedere, quando viaggi» aggiunse, mettendo il broncio, con aria di disapprovazione. «Quando… Quando viaggi? Intendi nel… nel…»

Il pensiero della sorella, minuta, anziana e cocciuta come un alligatore bloccato nel fango, che marciava verso nord tra due eserciti, nel cuore dell’inverno, circondata da briganti, animali selvatici e mezze dozzine di altre cose che gli sarebbero venute in mente se avesse avuto il tempo di pensarci… «Sì.» Gli rivolse un’occhiata, che significava che non voleva prolungare eccessivamente quello scambio di parole. «Dove va il Giovane Ian, vuole andare Rachel, e questo significa che va anche il piccolo. Credi che intenda lasciare il mio nipote più giovane alla mercé di orsi e Indiani? È una domanda retorica» aggiunse, con l’aria compiaciuta di essere riuscita a fermarlo. «Questo significa che non mi aspetto una tua risposta.» «Non distingueresti una domanda retorica da una buca nel terreno se non ti avessi spiegato io che cos’è!» «Be’, allora dovresti capirlo quando una ti azzanna al naso» fece, sollevando in aria il suo, piuttosto lungo. «Vado a parlare con Rachel» disse, osservandola. «Di sicuro è abbastanza assennata da…» «Pensi che io non l’abbia fatto?

O con il Giovane Ian?» Jenny scosse il capo, con una certa ammirazione. «Sarebbe più facile spostare la tua montagnetta» indicò la mole di Roan Mountain, che si profilava in lontananza, verde scuro, «piuttosto che far cambiare idea alla giovane quacchera, quando si è messa in testa una cosa.» «Ma il bambino…!» «Aye, aye» fece lei, con una punta di irritazione. «Pensi che non l’abbia fatto presente? E lei non ha battuto ciglio. Ma poi mi ha chiesto, con la massima ragionevolezza, se io avrei permesso a mio marito di percorrere mille chilometri per andare a trarre in salvo la sua prima moglie e i suoi tre figli, uno dei quali potrebbe essere di Ian – e sì, anch’io l’ho sentito ora per la prima volta» aggiunse, vedendo l’espressione di Jamie. «Capisco che cosa intende dire.» «Gesù.» «Aye.» Si allungò, con un gemito, e diede una scrollata alle gonne, ora piene di code di volpe. Jamie le sentiva pungere attraverso le calze, dozzine di aghi minuscoli. Il pensiero di Jenny che se ne andava era una pugnalata nel cuore. Respirare gli causava dolore. Sapeva che lei lo capiva; non lo guardò, ma arrotolò con cura il rosario e, dopo avergli preso la mano, glielo mise nel palmo.

«Custodiscilo per me» disse, concreta, «e, se non torno, dallo a Mandy, quando sarà abbastanza grande.» «Jenny…» fece lui, sottovoce. «Sai, quando ti metti a fare una valutazione della tua vita» gli disse, sbrigativa, mentre si chinava a prendere la corda della capra, «ti rendi conto che i bambini sono la cosa più importante. Si portano dentro il tuo sangue e qualunque altra cosa tu gli abbia dato… Li portano nel futuro.» La voce era assolutamente calma, ma si schiarì la voce ed emise un piccolo colpo di tosse prima di continuare. «Mandy è la più lontana, aye? La più lontana che possa raggiungere. La donna più giovane che abbia il sangue di Ma’. È giusto che l’abbia lei, dunque.» Jamie deglutì, a fatica. «D’accordo» disse, e poi chiuse la mano intorno al rosario, caldo per essere stato nella mano della sorella e per le sue preghiere. «Te lo giuro, sorella mia.» «Be’, questo lo so, idiota» gli disse, sorridendogli. «Vieni a darmi una mano con queste capre.»

[pitangent23]

Top Tools and Technologies for Fintech App Developers

In the rapidly evolving world of financial technology, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for success. For Fintech app developers, leveraging the right tools and technologies can make the difference between a mediocre application and a revolutionary one. As Fintech continues to transform the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sectors, understanding and utilizing the best available resources is essential. This discussion will explore the top tools and technologies that Fintech App Developers should consider creating cutting-edge applications.

Tools and Technologies Fintech App Developers Should Consider: 

1. Blockchain Technology 

Blockchain technology is revolutionizing the Fintech industry by providing a secure and transparent way to handle transactions. For Fintech app developers, integrating blockchain can enhance security, reduce fraud, and ensure immutable records. Platforms like Ethereum and Hyperledger offer robust frameworks for building decentralized applications (dApps), which are becoming increasingly popular in the Fintech space. By leveraging blockchain, developers can create applications that facilitate peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries, significantly reducing costs and increasing efficiency. 

2. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are indispensable for Fintech app developers. These technologies enable the creation of intelligent systems capable of analyzing vast amounts of data to provide insights and predictions. AI and ML can be used in various Fintech applications, such as fraud detection, credit scoring, and personalized financial advice. Tools like TensorFlow, Keras, and Scikit-learn are popular among developers for building AI and ML models. By integrating these technologies, Fintech apps can offer enhanced security, improved customer experience, and better financial management solutions. 

3. Cloud Computing 

Cloud computing has become a cornerstone for Fintech App Development Services. It provides scalable infrastructure, enabling developers to build and deploy applications quickly and efficiently. Services like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offer a range of tools and services that cater specifically to Fintech needs, such as data storage, analytics, and machine learning. By utilizing cloud computing, developers can ensure their applications are scalable, reliable, and secure, meeting the high demands of the Fintech industry. 

4. API Integration 

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are crucial for Fintech app developers as they allow seamless integration with various financial services and systems. APIs enable applications to communicate with each other, facilitating functionalities such as payment processing, data sharing, and customer authentication. Popular APIs in the Fintech space include Plaid, Stripe, and PayPal, which provide robust solutions for connecting banking systems, handling transactions, and managing user data. Effective API integration ensures that Fintech apps can offer a comprehensive range of services, enhancing their functionality and user experience. 

5. Cybersecurity Tools 

Security is paramount in Fintech app development, given the sensitive nature of financial data. Cybersecurity tools help protect applications from threats such as data breaches, malware, and phishing attacks. Tools like OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, and Snyk are widely used by Fintech app developers to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing strong encryption protocols, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits are essential practices to safeguard Fintech applications. By prioritizing cybersecurity, developers can build trust with users and comply with regulatory requirements. 

6. Big Data Analytics 

Big Data analytics plays a significant role in Fintech app development by providing valuable insights into user behavior, market trends, and financial risks. Tools like Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, and Tableau help developers process and analyze large datasets efficiently. By leveraging big data, Fintech app developers can create applications that offer personalized financial products, predictive analytics, and improved risk management. These capabilities are critical for enhancing customer engagement and making informed business decisions. 

7. Mobile Development Frameworks 

With the increasing use of smartphones for financial transactions, mobile development frameworks are essential for Fintech app developers. Frameworks like React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin allow developers to create high-performance mobile applications that run seamlessly on both iOS and Android platforms. These frameworks offer a wide range of pre-built components and libraries, reducing development time and costs. By focusing on mobile-first development, Fintech apps can reach a broader audience and provide a user-friendly experience. 

Conclusion 

For Fintech app developers, staying updated with the latest tools and technologies is crucial for creating innovative and secure applications. By leveraging blockchain, AI and ML, cloud computing, API integration, cybersecurity tools, big data analytics, and mobile development frameworks, developers can build robust and efficient Fintech solutions. As the Fintech industry continues to grow and evolve, these technologies will play a vital role in shaping the future of financial services. Embracing these tools not only enhances the capabilities of Fintech applications but also ensures they meet the dynamic needs of the BFSI sector.

[reitmonero]

How Secure Are Budgeting Apps? Understanding Privacy and Data Protection

With millions of people turning to budgeting apps to manage their finances, concerns about data privacy and security have become more important than ever. Given that these apps often require sensitive personal and financial information, users need to understand how secure budgeting apps are and what measures they take to protect data.

1. Data Encryption Encryption is a crucial security measure that budgeting apps use to protect user data. The majority of reputable apps employ bank-level encryption, which means that information is scrambled into an unreadable format until it reaches its intended destination. This makes it incredibly difficult for hackers to intercept and steal your data. Some apps, like YNAB and Mint, use 256-bit encryption, one of the strongest types of encryption available, ensuring that both personal details and financial information remain safe.

2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security, requiring users to verify their identity using a second method, such as a code sent to their phone or email. Many budgeting apps, including PocketGuard and Qapital, now offer 2FA to enhance user security. Even if someone gains access to your password, they would need a second piece of information to access your account. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

3. Data Sharing Practices It's important to know how apps handle your data. Some budgeting apps may share user information with third parties, such as advertisers or financial institutions, while others maintain a strict policy of not selling or sharing data. For example, Tiller Money explicitly states that they do not share user data with third parties. When choosing a budgeting app, reviewing the privacy policy is essential to ensure that your data isn't being sold or misused.

4. Data Retention Policies Budgeting apps differ in how long they keep your data and what they do with it after you stop using their service. Some apps may retain your information indefinitely unless you request its deletion, while others have clear policies on data deletion after account closure. Before using any financial app, it’s wise to understand how your data will be stored and what steps you can take to delete it if you no longer use the app.

5. Integration with Financial Institutions Most budgeting apps require integration with bank accounts and credit cards to automatically track expenses and income. This raises the question: how secure is this connection? Reputable apps use secure APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to link accounts, ensuring data is transmitted securely between the app and your bank. Apps like YNAB, Mint, and Personal Capital partner with Plaid, a trusted API provider, to ensure seamless and secure integration with financial institutions.

[fintechpoliciestemplates]

Comment gérer efficacement la trésorerie de votre startup fintech ? Guide pratique : Gestion de trésorerie pour startups fintech 1. Prévision des flux de trésorerie - Établir un tableau de bord de trésorerie sur 12-18 mois - Mettre à jour les prévisions hebdomadairement - Utiliser des outils comme Float ou Agicap 2. Optimisation du fonds de roulement - Négocier des délais de paiement fournisseurs - Accélérer l'encaissement clients (facturation rapide, relances) - Gérer efficacement les stocks 3. Stratégies de financement à court terme - Ligne de crédit bancaire - Affacturage - Financement participatif - Subventions et aides publiques 4. Gestion des risques financiers - Diversifier les sources de financement - Surveiller les ratios financiers clés - Mettre en place une politique de couverture de change 5. Outils utiles - Logiciels : Quickbooks, Xero, Wave - APIs bancaires : Plaid, TrueLayer - https://fr.fintechpolicies.com/comment-gerer-efficacement-la-tresorerie-de-votre-startup-fintech/?utm_source=tumblr&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fintech+policies+templates

[likitakans]

Financial Innovation: How Open Banking and BaaS Are Transforming the Future of Finance

In the fast-evolving world of finance, the concept of Open Banking and Banking as a Service (BaaS) is transforming how we interact with our money. No longer confined to traditional banking institutions, financial services are now being delivered directly to consumers through seamless integrations, thanks to the power of APIs and cutting-edge technology.

What is Open Banking and BaaS?

Open Banking refers to the practice where banks and financial institutions open up their data and services to third-party developers via APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). This allows businesses, fintechs, and even non-financial companies to build new services on top of traditional banking infrastructure, offering consumers more choices, better experiences, and innovative financial products.

Banking as a Service (BaaS) takes this concept a step further by enabling these third parties to offer banking products directly to their customers, all under their own brand. Think of BaaS as the engine powering a new wave of financial services, where any company can become a bank without needing to acquire a banking license.

The Benefits of Open Banking and BaaS

Enhanced Customer Experience: With Open Banking, customers can enjoy a more personalized experience. Imagine having all your financial services—loans, investments, savings, and more—available through a single app that understands your preferences and needs. BaaS makes this possible by integrating various banking services into user-friendly platforms.

Innovation at Scale: By opening up their data, banks allow fintechs to innovate faster and at a larger scale. This leads to the creation of new financial products that cater to niche markets, improving financial inclusion and offering services to underserved communities.

Increased Competition: Open Banking levels the playing field, enabling smaller fintechs to compete with traditional banks. This competition drives down costs, improves service quality, and spurs innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers.

Data-Driven Insights: The vast amount of data available through Open Banking APIs allows companies to provide personalized financial advice and products based on real-time data, helping customers make informed decisions.

Security and Trust: While the idea of sharing financial data might seem daunting, Open Banking is built on robust security protocols. With consumer consent at its core, data is shared securely, ensuring privacy and trust are maintained.

Real-World Applications of BaaS

Embedded Finance: Companies like Uber and Amazon are integrating financial services directly into their platforms, allowing users to access payment, lending, and insurance services without leaving the app.

Challenger Banks: Digital-only banks like Monzo and N26 are built on the principles of BaaS, offering customers a seamless banking experience without the overhead of traditional banking systems.

Fintech Ecosystems: Platforms like Plaid are enabling fintechs to connect with multiple banks through a single API, simplifying the process of developing new financial products.

The Future of Banking is Open

As Open Banking and BaaS continue to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative financial products hitting the market. From personalized financial planning to instant credit access, the possibilities are endless.

For businesses, embracing BaaS can mean unlocking new revenue streams, improving customer engagement, and staying ahead of the competition. For consumers, it means more choice, better services, and a banking experience tailored to individual needs.

In a world where convenience and personalization are paramount, Open Banking and BaaS are the driving forces behind the next wave of financial innovation. The future of banking is not just digital; it’s open, connected, and endlessly adaptable.

[amairadutta]

The Future of Open Banking

Introduction

Open banking is a system where banks and financial institutions share customers’ financial data with authorized third parties. This data sharing, previously not allowed, enables the making of innovative financial services and products, such as comparison tools and personal finance management apps.

To understand this system, let us look into the essentials crucial for its working. Open Banking involves sharing data among banks, credit card providers, and Data Requestors like Fintechs, retailers, and insurers. Managing this connectivity is complex for many organizations that view data management as peripheral. AISPs aggregate and share data from various sources, reducing costs and allowing businesses to focus on core operations. Middleware and Value-Added Services monitor data exchanges, manage volumes, and reduce outage risks. Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) and multi-layered fraud controls ensure secure customer transactions. Tools like consent receipts and dashboards facilitate effective consent management in Open Banking and GDPR, ensuring transparency and trust. AI, machine learning, and data science validate income and expenses, enhancing personalized lending decisions. Using transactional data throughout a loan’s lifecycle allows proactive monitoring of financial circumstances, supporting responsible lending practices and enhancing customer trust.

Benefits of open banking

Open banking enhances customer satisfaction by decentralizing systems and enabling secure data sharing among institutions, improving convenience in tasks like bank switching and product selection. It empowers lenders with detailed consumer insights for better loan terms and supports informed financial decisions. Additionally, it drives competitive pricing, enhances product offerings, and fosters industry innovation, providing customers with comprehensive financial insights and customized tools for effective financial management.

Real-world applications of open banking  

Peer-to-peer payments :

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) exemplifies Open Banking by enabling third-party payments through a centralized API, capturing nearly 80% of all digital payments in India by 2023. Similarly, Bahrain’s BenefitPay app, which uses Open Banking, saw a 73% CAGR over three years.

Account aggregation :

Platforms like Plaid aggregate financial data from multiple sources, simplifying account management and financial analysis.

Instant payments :

Innovations like GoCardless’s Inst a Bank Pay offer instant payment confirmation for bank-to-bank transactions, bypassing the traditional 2-3 day wait.

Leading Open Banking API providers

Salt Edge :

Salt Edge offers open banking API solutions to help businesses create smart services. Their universal platform eases the burden on businesses, enabling diverse use cases built on Salt Edge’s solutions.

Plaid :

Plaid provides a suite of APIs that connect fin-tech applications to users’ bank accounts, integrating Payment Initiation Services (PIS) and Account Information Services (AIS) to manage budgets, track investments, and streamline payments securely.

TrueLayer :

TrueLayer’s APIs, including AIS, Payments Initiation, and Data API, enable secure access to financial data, allowing fin-tech companies to develop applications for finance management, payments, and financial insights.

Advantages of Open Banking APIs in Indian Fin-tech

Open banking APIs enhance customer services with competitive financial products, quick and secure transactions, and broader access to diverse financial products. For Fintech companies, APIs enable rapid innovation, leverage established banks’ customer trust, and allow a specialized focus on core strengths, enriching the financial ecosystem. for banks, open banking increases efficiency, reduces costs, creates new revenue streams, and improves customer engagement and loyalty through personalized financial insights.

BHIM UPI: Integrating Open Banking with Fin-Tech Innovation

BHIM UPI, developed by NPCI, is a revolutionary platform using open APIs for instant bank transfers via mobile devices. Launched in 2016, it has transformed India’s digital payments landscape, accounting for 75% of retail digital transactions in 2022-23, and is projected to handle 1 billion transactions daily by 2026-27. BHIM UPI democratizes digital payments, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, promoting financial inclusion. Its open API architecture fosters third-party payment app development, driving Fintech innovation and competition, and exemplifying how open banking simplifies finance and enhances accessibility.

Future insights: open banking APIs in Indian Fintech

Open banking is set to grow significantly with global users expected to reach 132.2 million by 2024. AI will enhance personalization through tailored financial advice and predictive analytics. Blockchain integration promises improved security and transparency in transactions, benefiting cross-border payments and regulatory compliance. Open banking APIs democratize financial services, expanding access to underserved populations with innovative solutions like micro-loans. India’s evolving regulatory environment supports open banking, promoting a secure and dynamic Fin-tech ecosystem.

Conclusion

Protecting user data and privacy is vital, achieved through strong security measures and secure consent frameworks. Standardizing APIs and ensuring they work well together requires collaboration among regulators, financial institutions, and Fin-tech companies. Adapting to changing regulations is essential to managing legal and operational risks successfullyIndia’s fin-tech sector is poised for transformative changes with open banking APIs, leading in innovation, security, and financial inclusion. By embracing collaboration and technological advancement, India can set a global benchmark for financial services.

Author : Exito