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song about Patrick?’
    ‘Audite, omnes amantes Deum …
’ intoned Eadulf, remembering the opening of the song. ‘
Sancta merita viri in Christo beati Patrici Episcopi
… Listen, all you lovers of God, to the holy qualities of Bishop Patrick, a saintly man in Christ …’
    His voice died away as a thought struck him. ‘Do you think this attack might have had some religious connection? Is not the feast day of Blessed Sechnall the day after tomorrow?’
    Fidelma pursed her lips, pausing for a second before shaking her head. ‘These are traditions of the North and of the Middle Kingdom, Midhe. What quarrel would Colgú have had about the mother of the Blessed Sechnall of Midhe?’
    ‘There is conflict enough between the Abbeys of Imleach and Ard Macha about Ard Macha’s claims that its abbot should be chief among the bishops of the Five Kingdoms,’ Eadulf pointed out.
    Fidelma shrugged. ‘That is purely an argument between the religious. Anyway, apart from the mother of Sechnall, there must be other women bearing the name Liamuin, although I can’t remember anyone else so called. But it is too early to say.’
    ‘Let us be practical then,’ Eadulf said. ‘The cry was meant to mean something to your brother, so he must hold the answer to this mystery. Let us hope …’ He paused in embarrassment before he hurried on. ‘When he is better, the question must be put to him.’
    Fidelma was quiet for a moment before agreeing. ‘You are right and I shall put it to him as soon as I can. I was thinking,’ she went on, then sighed. ‘I believe the point Luan made is worth following when it is light.’
    ‘You think the assassin stayed somewhere in the town while it was raining and then came up to the palace after the rain stopped?’
    ‘Exactly so. If he rode to Cashel he must have found a place to stable his horse and change his clothes. If he was not a religieux then the clothes might offer a clue to his identity. But did he stay at an inn, or was he given shelter by a fellow conspirator?’
    ‘Let us hope we can resolve the mystery.’
    Eadulf glanced towards the window, where the sky was rapidly getting lighter, and blew out the candle. There were already the faint sounds of movement throughout the palace. Eadulf stretched and yawned. It was going to be a long day.
    It was still early when Brother Conchobhar met Fidelma and Eadulf outside the doors that led into Colgú’s private apartments. Two of Cashel’s élite warriors stood on guard outside. They were Dego and Aidan, and both were well known to Fidelma and Eadulf. Their faces were set.
    ‘What news?’ asked Fidelma immediately as the apothecary came forward.
    ‘He is conscious but in some pain. It has been a bad night but there is little fever, thank God.’
    ‘Can he speak?’
    The old man looked troubled. ‘I’d rather he did not exert himself. The wound is deep and he needs stillness and tranquillity.’
    ‘One question,’ Fidelma pressed, after a moment. ‘That’s all I’ll ask and then no more.’
    Brother Conchobhar had known both Fidelma and her brother Colgú since they were babies. Even before they were born, he had served their father Failbhe Flann when the latter had ruled Muman. He had been with King Failbhe when he died. The elderly physician realised that Fidelma would not insist unless the question was absolutely necessary.
    ‘One question,’ he warned, standing aside.
    ‘You go in,’ Eadulf told her. ‘We do not want to tire him with too many people crowding round.’
    As Dego turned the handle to allow her entrance, Fidelma seemed to brace herself for a moment and then passed through the doors. Dego silently shut them behind her.
    Eadulf turned to Brother Conchobhar. ‘I suppose there is no one in this palace who knows Colgú as well as you do?’
    The other man replied, ‘I would agree, although no one is ever privy to all the thoughts, emotions and deeds of another.’
    Eadulf accepted the caveat. He went on: ‘You