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Cathal and his blood brother Donnchad were of a princely family of the Déisi. I advised that they should leave on a pilgrimage and not return until a more opportune time. They left for the Holy Land and Maolochtair died while they were away. I remember it very well. I hear that Donnchad returned earlier this summer, while Cathal decided to settle in some city south of Rome.’
    ‘That is so. Brother Donnchad has returned to Lios Mór.’
    ‘So what is Abbot Iarnla’s problem?’
    ‘Brother Donnchad was found yesterday dead in his cell. He had been stabbed twice in the back. Yet he lay on his bed, on his back, as if in repose, and his door was locked from the inside. The abbey is in uproar.’
    Fidelma’s eyes widened a fraction at the news.
    Colgú continued, ‘Ségdae and I have sent a message, telling Abbot Iarnla that you will be setting out tomorrow for Lios Mór.’
    Fidelma did not conceal her sudden excitement. During these last weeks she had found nothing to pit her intellect against and she found herself bored with doing nothing. She felt a momentary pang of guilt at dismissing her daily play with Alchú as ‘nothing’. But it was Muirgen who usually nursed the child. She had also gone riding, of course, and for the occasional swim, but – she had to admit it – without Eadulf, there seemed little enjoyment in these diversions. She had even taken to asking Brehon Baithen if there were any courts in which she could sit. That was when she had learned that Colgú’s Chief Brehon was ill and was resigning his office. In eighteen days, the King and his Council of Brehons would meet to make a decision on his
successor and Fidelma had decided that she would put herself forward for the office. Now she could hardly contain her excitement at being offered such an investigation; if handled well, it could only enhance her reputation.
    ‘Thank you, brother, for choosing me,’ she said with a happy smile.
    ‘It was, frankly, not my choice,’ Colgú said, with a shake of his head. ‘It was Abbot Iarnla who specifically requested you,’ he replied dourly. ‘He remembered that you had resolved the problem with Maolochtair.’
    ‘It is still well,’ Fidelma replied, undeterred.
    ‘Then there is the condition that Ségdae and I would impose on you before you accept this undertaking,’ her brother added. ‘In sending to Abbot Iarnla and saying that you would attend him, we have presumed your acceptance of this condition.’
    An expression of uncertainty crossed her features. ‘I shall not withdraw my request to the Council of Brehons,’ she said firmly.
    ‘I did not expect you to. The condition is that you are to be accompanied by one other.’
    Her expression grew dark and ominous.
    ‘After all this time, you do not trust my experience?’ she said sharply.
    ‘On the countrary, I do trust your experience. Sometimes, however, I do not trust your emotions.’
    ‘Who have you foisted on me to investigate this matter?’ she demanded aggressively.
    ‘Someone you have worked well with in the past and to whom my kingdom owes a great debt. I have asked Brother Eadulf to be here by this afternoon.’
    Fidelma stood for a moment, saying nothing. Colgú watched the emotions chase each other across her face until she brought them under control.

    ‘I had not imagined that you were a matchmaker, brother,’ she finally said in a tone of irony.
    Colgú resumed his seat before responding.
    ‘Neither am I, sister. In such a matter as this, where the community of Lios Mór now speak of dark, supernatural deeds, I felt that I should send those best qualified to bring about a rational resolution. Do you deny that you and Eadulf have worked on such mysteries in the past and come to a logical resolution of them?’
    ‘I do not. Yet it seems that you have not accepted what I have said about Eadulf.’
    ‘I have understood exactly, Fidelma.’
    ‘He will not accept this,’ she said firmly. ‘He will not come.’
    ‘In