Chalice of Blood Read Online Free Page B

never excluded me from being consulted in legal matters even by the High King, let alone provincial kings.’
    ‘I meant no disrespect, my child,’ replied Ségdae. ‘It is just that there are many others qualified as ollamh among the Council of Brehons of Muman. What will be their thoughts at being surpassed in office if your brother nominates you? Would they not say, ah, she is the King’s sister, and that is why we have been overlooked? Would that not sow seeds of dissension within the kingdom?’
    Fidelma regarded him stubbornly. ‘If my brother is happy with the nomination, I cannot see why his people should dissent.’
    The abbot once more gave a sad shake of his head. ‘There are times, my child, when you surprise me.’
    ‘I have come to you to announce my intention of withdrawing from the religieuse and to pursue my future as a lawyer unencumbered by other interests. As Chief Bishop of the kingdom, do I have your blessing or not?’
    ‘It is not so simple,’ the abbot replied firmly. ‘I must consult about this; I must talk to your brother, the King. To be truthful,
I am not certain that I have been placed in possession of all the facts.’
    Fidelma flushed, her body stiffened. ‘I do not tell untruths.’
    The abbot held up a hand as if to pacify her. ‘I did not say that you have told me anything which is not true, merely that you may have withheld some information which, perhaps, might have made me understand your reasoning better. Perhaps you are withholding that knowledge even from yourself.’
    Fidelma sniffed in disapproval. ‘I have told you that which is pertinent to my request, and if that is not sufficient, then I can do nothing further. By your leave, Ségdae, I will withdraw, but let me say this: I have told you my intention and, with your blessing or no, I will fulfil my design.’
    Without another word, she turned and left.
    Abbot Ségdae sat motionless for a few moments, staring at the door she had slammed behind her. Then he stirred and, not for the first time, sighed deeply.
    ‘You heard that?’ he asked softly.
    The curtain hanging over the door-like aperture into the guestroom’s sleeping quarters stirred and was pulled aside.
    The abbot’s steward entered. Brother Madagan was a tall man with thin, serious features and dark, brooding, deep-set eyes.
    ‘I did.’
    ‘And what is your comment?’
    ‘I have a great aversion to placing a wild bird in a cage.’
    The abbot frowned and then, as he understood what his steward meant, he smiled at him.
    ‘We have known for many years that Fidelma was her own person. She will not be constrained by anyone. Once she makes up her mind as to the correctness of the course she undertakes, then there is little to be done.’
    ‘Just so.’

    ‘But what if she is choosing the wrong path?’ queried the abbot. ‘Do we not have a duty to dissuade her?’
    ‘Better that she chooses it than she has a path chosen for her, which she then resents and comes to resent those who chose it. If it is the wrong path, she will find out soon enough and return. If it is the right path … well, why should we not encourage her?’
    ‘You are ever a good counsellor, Brother Madagan. I wonder if she has heard that most of the Council of Brehons favour Brehon Aillín of the Eóghanacht Glendamnach as the new Chief Brehon?’
    ‘I do not think that will disturb her ambition.’
    Abbot Ségdae sat in thought for a moment or two before making a small grimace. ‘I still feel that something is not quite right here. I believe there is more to her decision to leave the religious than a simple ambition to pursue her profession in law.’
    ‘You refer to this separation between her and Brother Eadulf ?’
    The abbot shifted his weight in the chair. ‘Sometimes I think that those esoteric theologists who try to persuade us that celibacy is the best form of life for those who would pursue the religious cause are right. Sometimes relationships within the communities can