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moral code of our Druids and fell to the worship of a great golden idol called Cromm Cruach, the god of the Bloody Crescent, to whom human sacrifices were offered. He was worshipped on the Plain of Adoration, Magh Slécht, in the time of the High King Tigernmas, son of Follach. His very name meant “lord of death”.’
    ‘I have not heard this tale before,’ Eadulf said.
    ‘It is a period in our history which adds no pride to our people in the telling of it. The people finally tired of Tigernmas and he was mysteriously slain during the frenzied worship of the idol and our people returned their allegiance to the gods of their forefathers.’
    Eadulf sniffed disapprovingly.
    ‘I see little difference between worship of an idol and worship of the pagan gods. Neither was the true god.’
    ‘You have a point, Eadulf, but at least the old gods did not demand the blood sacrifice that Cromm Cruach did.’
    Eadulf ran a hand through his hair.

    ‘But what has this to do with … what was it? … The Threefold Death?’
    ‘It was the death which Cromm Cruach demanded, according to Tigernmas.’
    ‘I still do not follow.’
    Fidelma waved a hand towards the bodies.
    ‘Each of these young men has been stabbed. Each has been garroted and each has had their skull crushed by a blow to the head. Does that imply anything to you?’
    Eadulf’s eyes widened.
    ‘This is your Threefold Death?’
    ‘Exactly so. Each of these forms was a means of death. Every young man bears the marks of the same manner of dying. And furthermore, did you note the marks on their wrists?’
    ‘Marks?’
    ‘The burn marks of ropes. Their wrists were secured, presumably at the time of their deaths, and then the ropes were untied.’
    Eadulf shivered and genuflected.
    ‘Do you suggest that they are the victims of some sacrificial rite?’
    ‘I enumerate the facts. Any conclusion would be no more than speculation.’
    ‘But if what you say is so, then you are suggesting that this is a pagan sacrifice and imply that the worship of the idol you mentioned, Cromm, still survives.’
    Fidelma shook her head.
    ‘Tigernmas was said to have been the twenty-sixth king after the coming of the sons of Mile who brought the children of the Gael to Éireann. He ruled here a thousand years before Christ came to this world. Even his Druids turned on him because of this evil practice. To suggest the worship of Cromm still exists would be illogical.’
    Eadulf pursed his lips a moment.
    ‘There is some deviltry here, though.’
    ‘In that, you are correct. I mentioned the number of bodies – thirty-three in all …’
    ‘And you implied that this number has some significance,’ interposed Eadulf hurriedly.
    ‘When the evil gods of the Fomorii were overthrown, it is said that they were commanded by thirty-two chieftains plus their High King. The great Ulaidh hero Cúchulainn slew thirty-three warriors in an evil fairy castle. When the Dési were expelled from Ireland by Cormac Mac Art they had to spend thirty-three years wandering
before they could settle down. Thirty-three champions including the king died in Bricriu’s hall … need I go on?’
    Eadulf’s eyes slowly widened.
    ‘You are saying that the number thirty-three holds special significance in the pagan traditions of your people?’
    ‘I am. What we see here is some ancient ritual. The Threefold Death and the placing of the bodies in a sunwise circle and the number of the bodies all add to the ritual. But what the meaning of this ritual is, that we must discover. There is one other important observation which you have neglected to mention.’
    Eadulf’s eye scanned the circle.
    ‘What is it?’ he asked uncertainly.
    ‘Examine that body and tell me what you see,’ she said, indicating a particular corpse with a wave of her hand.
    Distastefully, Eadulf picked his way across the bodies and looked down. He gasped and crossed himself.
    ‘A brother,’ he whispered. ‘A brother of the Faith. He wears