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leaving Cill Dara, I have based myself at my brother’s court here in Cashel and sought to serve him and this kingdom, and even the High King, to the best of my ability when my opinion has been sought. The Church has little need of me to serve the Faith, but the law does have need of me.’
    ‘So what are you suggesting?’ Abbot Ségdae demanded.
    ‘That I will no longer be a member of the religieuse in name. Many years have passed since I was truly a Sister of a community. Even before I went to Cill Dara, I was never committed to the rules and regulations of the religieuse. It was only a means of security in an uncertain world. Now, my brother often needs me at his side to advise and sit with him in matters of law and this kingdom.’
    The abbot frowned briefly. ‘I hear what you say, Fidelma. I hear it and am concerned by it. Is this matter something to do with Brother Eadulf ?’
    A flush came to Fidelma’s face.
    ‘Eadulf? Why do you say that?’ she demanded defensively.
    The abbot sat back and examined her closely. ‘It has been observed, Fidelma, that since your return from the Council of Autun, and the problems you encountered after you left the port of Naoned, you and Brother Eadulf have led separate lives. Why is that?’
    ‘It is … it is a private matter,’ Fidelma said hesitantly.
    The abbot shook his head sadly. ‘Anything that affects the
well-being of the King’s sister, that causes her to withdraw from the religieuse, must surely be of concern to me as the King’s chief spiritual adviser.’
    ‘My decision has nothing to do with Eadulf,’ she insisted in annoyance. ‘I needed time at Cashel while Eadulf wanted to spend some time in contemplation with the community of the abbey of the Blessed Rúan north of here. That is all.’
    ‘All?’
    ‘What else can there be?’ she demanded petulantly.
    Abbot Ségdae’s voice was sorrowful. ‘That, my child, is what I am attempting to find out. You and Eadulf had hardly returned here, to Cashel, when he left to go to the abbey of Rúan, while you remained here with your son, Alchú.’
    ‘Is there anything wrong with a desire to spend some time with my son?’ Fidelma’s voice was fierce.
    The abbot ignored her aggressive tone and continued in an even voice. ‘Then you come to me and tell me that, after these many years, you wish to leave the religieuse. You must forgive me for thinking that these matters may be connected.’
    There was an uneasy silence between them.
    ‘We have known one another a long time, Fidelma,’ the abbot began again. ‘I know that you are possessed of a sharp mind and it is your questioning ability that stands you in good stead as an advocate in your profession. I know, too, that it often leads you to question some of the tenets of the Faith. The Faith is not something that you can question and always achieve a rational answer – that’s what makes it a faith and not an art or science. It is not something that can be proven by evidence as in your law textbooks or even by rational thought.’
    He saw Fidelma’s lips compress in a stubborn line.
    ‘I have told you, I accept the Faith,’ she said softly. ‘I am not questioning the Faith.’
    ‘Have you spoken of this matter with your brother, the King?’

    ‘As a matter of fact, I have. My brother Colgú has come to rely on my advice more often than before. It is known that the Chief Brehon of Muman, Baithen, is ill with a wasting sickness and has expressed his wish to withdraw into private life.’
    Abbot Ségdae’s eyes widened a little. ‘And you would aspire to be Chief Brehon of your brother’s kingdom?’
    Fidelma’s chin rose a little. ‘Not only aspire,’ she replied sharply. ‘I feel that the Council of Brehons would support me in that office.’
    ‘Baithen was of the rank of ollamh , the highest degree possible in law. Yet you—’
    ‘I am of the rank of an anruth , the second highest degree to an ollamh ,’ snapped Fidelma. ‘That has